Rockwells Mills Historic District

Rockwells Mills is a hamlet in the town of Guilford, Chenango County, New York, set on a narrow flat between the Unadilla River and the bed of the former New York, Ohio and Western Railroad. About twenty houses with outbuildings surround a stone textile mill, now altered as a restaurant. Across from the mill, on the largest lot, stands the Italianate house built in 1867-68 for mill owner Chester W. Rockwell. Other homes range from Greek Revival and Federal-influenced cottages to Stick Style and Queen Anne houses. The district was listed because it shows how a small industrial hamlet was arranged and grew during the nineteenth century. The mill owner's house overlooks the mill, and worker housing spreads north and south. Early deeds mention a boarding house, grist mill, fulling mill and store. The mill's interior no longer shows its industrial use, but the overall plan of the hamlet remains largely intact. The district counts 26 contributing and 7 noncontributing buildings.