Allen's Mill - DNRT

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Allen's Mill - DNRT

Allen’s Mill is an old grist mill acquired by DNRT when it purchased Destruction Brook Woods in 2000. Sheehan rebuilt the sawmill after the fire.

DNRT worked with a dedicated group of volunteers to oversee the reconstruction of the grist mill building, development of a parking area and extensive historical research on the site. The earliest documented use of the Allen’s Mill site appears to date to 1711, although a 1926 New Bedford Standard Times newspaper article claims 📷that a mill operated in this location as early as 1676. According to

local historians, by 1784 the mill operated with an overshot wheel and this site had “the best power in the region because the water here had the highest fall.” In 1876, Elihu Howland sold the property to James Allen II, the individual whose name is associated with the mill. Allen ran the mill for 60 years until it was sold to John Sheehan in 1936. John Sheehan began working for James Allen around 1900 and by 1919 had assumed responsibility for the management of the mill. Sheehan also began operating a sawmill, which was located adjacent to the sluiceway and just off the southeastern corner of the gristmill building. A fire in 1939 destroyed the majority of the sawmill and damaged a portion of the building that housed the gristmill. Around 1946 a gasoline engine replaced the water flow. The mill appears to have ceased operation sometime in the late 1950s or early 1960s, although the specific dates when the grist and sawmills stopped operating are unknown and may have continued sporadically after day-to-day production ended.

03/25/2026

Did you know that Allen’s Mill was in operation as early as 1711? Or that the millstones used for grinding corn, wheat, and rye weighed approximately 2,000 pounds a piece? Pop in anytime from 10 to 12 to take a tour and learn more about this historic mill on Slades Corner Road.

03/07/2026

We are making progress clearing trails after the storm. Here is where we suggest hiking. Please note that even cleared trails are still difficult with deep snow and areas of slush.

02/27/2026

We are continuing to clear our trails and thank you for your patience! We are still advising folks to stay off the trails for the time being. If you must go out, please have a buddy, be aware of your surroundings, and make sure you have good pair of snow shoes!A

02/26/2026

02/25/2026

After taking some time to assess our trail systems, we are advising all to stay off of our trails for the time being. Conditions are unsafe.

09/03/2024

The Mill is OPEN this weekend! Make sure to visit Allen's Mill any time from 10 - 2 on Saturday, September 7 to learn about this historical property. While you're out, pop by the Grange Fair on Fisher Road!

11/10/2020

WE DID IT!!!!!
Thank you all so much for helping us reach our goal of raising $40,000 for our 40 miles of trails. We are truly grateful for the support offered by over 250 friends, volunteers, and DNRT members. You have showed us immense support and love during difficult times. Keep on loving those trails! ❤️

05/14/2020

Have you been enjoying the DNRT trails? Consider a donation today! Our trails have been seeing more use than ever and we need your help to maintain them.

First time donors of $25+ during the month of May will receive a FREE Guide to Outdoor Recreation in Dartmouth book. This guide, which normally retails for $15, features over 70 full color pages with DNRT trails, as well as state, town, and other non-profit hiking areas. Join today: dnrt.org/member

03/20/2020

We are glad to see that many folks are seeking solace in nature during this difficult time. With the increased use of our properties, maps might not always be in stock. We encourage you to take a photo of the map in the kiosk, or visit dnrt.org/reserves, where all of our maps are available for download. If you do take a physical map, please sanitize your hands before and after touching the dispenser and, unlike normal circumstances, do not return it when you are done.

Address

Slades Corner Road
Dartmouth, MA
02748

Telephone

(508) 991-2289

Website

https://dnrt.org/allensmill/

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About Allen’s Mill

Allen’s Mill is an old grist mill acquired by DNRT when it purchased Destruction Brook Woods in 2000. Since that time, DNRT has worked with a dedicated group of volunteers who have overseen the reconstruction of the grist mill building, development of a parking area and extensive historical research on the site.

The earliest documented use of the Allen’s Mill site appears to date to 1711, although a 1926 New Bedford Standard Times newspaper article claims 📷that a mill operated in this location as early as 1676. According to local historians, by 1784 the mill operated with an overshot wheel and this site had “the best power in the region because the water here had the highest fall.” In 1876, Elihu Howland sold the property to James Allen II, the individual whose name is associated with the mill. Allen ran the mill for 60 years until it was sold to John Sheehan in 1936.

John Sheehan began working for James Allen around 1900 and by 1919 had assumed responsibility for the management of the mill. Sheehan also began operating a sawmill, which was located adjacent to the sluiceway and just off the southeastern corner of the gristmill building. A fire in 1939 destroyed the majority of the sawmill and damaged a portion of the building that housed the gristmill. Sheehan rebuilt the sawmill after the fire. Around 1946 a gasoline engine replaced the water flow. The mill appears to have ceased operation sometime in the late 1950s or early 1960s, although the specific dates when the grist and sawmills stopped operating are unknown and may have continued sporadically after day-to-day production ended.