Horton Gristmill
Also known as: Malone Milling Company
Why it's listed
Standing in the center of Malone on the east bank of the Salmon River, this grist mill was built in 1853 of thin slabs of warm-toned Potsdam sandstone quarried locally. It is a five-bay, 2 1/2-story building with a gable roof, a molded stone cornice with short returns, broad stone lintels and a keystone arch where water once entered from the raceway. The rear wall drops straight into the river. A mill had operated on the site since the early 1800s, first built by early settlers John and Nathan Wood, and Hiram Horton purchased the site in 1809 and built a grist mill. During Horton's ownership the old frame mill was replaced by the stone building. Its construction followed the arrival of the Northern Railroad in 1850, which brought prosperity to Malone and made the mill a major supplier for the North Country. Machinery has largely been removed, and the building was reported to be deteriorating, with preservation efforts under way.
Significance in brief: The nomination cites its fine stone construction, relatively large size and role as a major mill serving the North Country while Malone was a railroad center. The building is built entirely of thin slabs of Potsdam sandstone quarried in Malone, and its stone cornice is described as a rarely seen feature. Its history also reflects Malone's growth into an industrial and commercial center after the Northern Railroad arrived in 1850.
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 75001188, listed April 21, 1975. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Mill St., Malone |
|---|---|
| County | Franklin County |
| Listed | April 21, 1975 |
| Reference number | 75001188 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1853 |
| Architectural style | Vernacular |
| Areas of significance | Industry, Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as slowly falling into decay, with the interior largely stripped of machinery; a later data sheet lists it as not in use. The Franklin County Historical Society was working toward its preservation. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Malone Downtown Historic District |
| Coordinates | 44.84795, -74.29264 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 75001188.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5906840
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.