Earlier this year, I revisited the Lonaconing Silk Mill, a significant historical site as one of the last intact silk mills in the United States. This mill, operated by the Klotz Throwing Company and General Textile Mills Company, was in active use from 1901 until its closure in 1957.
Earlier this year, I revisited the Lonaconing Silk Mill, a significant historical site as one of the last intact silk mills in the United States. This mill, operated by the Klotz Throwing Company and General Textile Mills Company, was in active use from 1901 until its closure in 1957.
In 1978, following interest from a company in reviving the mill, Herbert Crawford and a business partner acquired the complex. Crawford had ambitious plans to convert the interior into a functioning museum. Despite his efforts, these plans were hindered by insufficient funding and a lack of support from state initiatives. After Crawford’s passing in February 2019, the silk mill property fell into a state of neglect and suffered vandalism.
In March 2022, Brandon Sloan stepped in to acquire the Lonaconing mill from Crawford’s heirs. Sloan is dedicated to preserving the mill in its existing state, with a primary focus on repairing the deteriorating roof to prevent further damage.
For those interested in the history and ongoing preservation efforts of the Lonaconing Silk Mill, I recommend visiting Sloan’s website, The Klotz Company Store. This site offers information on events and various items related to the silk mill’s rich history. Additionally, The Silk Mill, a companion Facebook page, provides regular updates on the mill’s status and preservation activities. These resources are invaluable for anyone interested in the legacy of this historic silk mill.
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Thanks for this. I was morally convinced that there was no silk produced in North America, principally because nobody would subject themselves to the tedium involved in the million cocoons required to make a yard of the stuff, Clearly I was wrong, and accept no substitutes, for nylon didn’t exist then. But France made lots of silk, and our working conditions had to have been better than those in Quebec.