Slade Spice Mill
Why it's listed
Spices are still ground and mixed at this three-story frame mill on Mill Creek in Revere, a site first used for grinding corn about 1734. The present building replaced earlier mills that burned in 1885, 1901 and 1902, and some charred timbers appear to have been reused. Tidal water filled a mill pond behind a dam, then turned four horizontal wheels in the cellar that drove the millstones for about six or seven hours out of every twelve. The D. & L. Slade Spice Company began work here in 1827 under Henry Slade, and his sons later built the business around cinnamon and other spices. Tide power continued, combined with electricity, until about 1930, unusually late for this type of mill. It is described as one of two surviving tide-powered mills in Massachusetts. Remnants include cast iron gears, a wheel casing visible at low tide, and floors darkened by nutmeg oil. The dam also kept British warships from advancing up the creek in 1775.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it one of only two remaining tide-powered mills in Massachusetts and the home of the oldest producing spice company in the United States. It also has engineering value for its early horizontal turbine water wheels driven by tidal action. Its dam is credited with a minor military role in a 1775 naval engagement.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 09000709, listed June 30, 1972. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 770 Revere Beach Parkway, Revere |
|---|---|
| County | Suffolk County |
| Listed | June 30, 1972 |
| Reference number | 09000709 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 18th, 19th and 20th centuries; specific dates 1734, 1823, 1827, 1902 |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Commerce, Engineering, Industry, Military |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Building described as in excellent condition and still used to grind and mix spices; the dam is deteriorating and no longer used for power. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.40522, -71.01284 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 09000709.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q28311522
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.