Barnet in Caledonia County, Vermont — The American Northeast (New England)

Ben's Mill

Photographed by Dennis Gilkenson, June 28, 2019

1. Ben's Mill Marker

Inscription. This water-powered mill on the Stevens River was built in 1872 by Alexander Jack. It originally housed a patented woolen print and dye works. In 1893, James Judkins retooled it as a wagon and woodworking shop. Judkins’ Shop was later run by sons Fenton and Don, who added a cider press and blacksmith shop. From 1901 to 1915 the Mill provided the only source of electricity for Barnet. After six years of apprenticing for Fenton Judkins, Ben Thresher purchased the Mill in 1947. Ben’s Mill offered equipment repair and production needs of local famers. Thresher demonstrated his exceptional skills in a 1981 PBS Odyssey production. He operated the Mill until 1994, preserving a working industrial monument to the ingenuity and skill of Vermont craftsmen.

Erected 2018 by Vermont Divison for Historic Preservation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1872.

Location. 44° 18.628′ N, 72° 5.839′ W. Marker is in Barnet, Vermont, in Caledonia County. It is on West Barnet Road, on the left. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2478 West Barnet Road, Barnet VT 05821, United States of America.

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Regionally, this marker is in Vermont’s Connecticut River Valley,

in the Green Mountains,

and in the Northeast Kingdom.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in New England.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Great North Woods,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Vermont Republic.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Henry Stevens / Henry Stevens, Jr. (approx. 2.6 miles away); The Comerford Development at Fifteen Mile Falls (approx. 3.1 miles away); Moore Round Barn (approx. 3½ miles away); Caledonia County Grammar School (approx. 3.8 miles away); Greenbank's Hollow (approx. 4.8 miles away); James Whitehill Stone House (approx. 4.8 miles away); Passumpsic Veterans Memorial (approx. 5.7 miles away); Danville Civil War Memorial (approx. 7.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Barnet.

Wide View of Ben's Mill Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dennis Gilkenson, June 28, 2019

2. Wide View of Ben's Mill Marker

Photographed by Dennis Gilkenson, June 28, 2019

3. Ben's Mill

Credits. This page was last revised on July 3, 2019. It was originally submitted on July 1, 2019, by Dennis Gilkenson of Saxtons River, Vermont. This page has been viewed 395 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 1, 2019, by Dennis Gilkenson of Saxtons River, Vermont. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.