Today I return to the topic of preservation by neglect with a personally poignant look at Phoenix Mills, an historic stone building located down river from the bridge (and former DEC fish ladder) in Willsboro, New York.
As I understand it, Phoenix Mills was a grist mill originally built and operated by W.D. Ross in the early 1800s. This historic plaque appears in the archival image above (below the gable, and above the center third story window) and it once again, adorns the building today. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because this mill — and at least one other, located in Boquet — were among the industrious accomplishments of the man who originally built and raised his family at Rosslyn. (Remember the belt buckle?)