Real Photo Postcard: The Old Paper Mill, Waterloo, Iowa.
Title
Real Photo Postcard: The Old Paper Mill, Waterloo, Iowa.
Description
Real Photo Postcard: The Old Paper Mill, Waterloo, Iowa. No. 46.
By 1894, the mill had fallen on hard times due to high prices for straw and other troubles, and was sold at sheriff's sale.
In 1895, H.B. Allen purchased the mill and started the National Straw Board Company. This company operated the mill from December 1895 until April 1896, when it leased the plant to the Standard Straw Board company, which then closed it, presumably so that it would not compete with their other factories. ("Waterloo and The Trusts." Waterloo Daily Courier, 16 Sept. 1899: Page 1.)
The mill remained closed, and the property changed hands several times over the next ten years, but the mill was never reopened. The buildings fell into disrepair.
In 1909, the city purchased the land surrounding the mill and turned it into Riverview Park. The crumbling ruins of the mill could be still be seen in the late 1930s.
History of the Waterloo Paper Mill
Construction on the Waterloo Paper Company's new paper mill began in 1888, and the mill began production in 1889. The mill bought straw from local farmers to produce paper. Oat straw sold to the mill for $2.50-$3.00 per ton, and rye straw sold for $3.00 to $5.00 per ton in 1892.By 1894, the mill had fallen on hard times due to high prices for straw and other troubles, and was sold at sheriff's sale.
In 1895, H.B. Allen purchased the mill and started the National Straw Board Company. This company operated the mill from December 1895 until April 1896, when it leased the plant to the Standard Straw Board company, which then closed it, presumably so that it would not compete with their other factories. ("Waterloo and The Trusts." Waterloo Daily Courier, 16 Sept. 1899: Page 1.)
The mill remained closed, and the property changed hands several times over the next ten years, but the mill was never reopened. The buildings fell into disrepair.
In 1909, the city purchased the land surrounding the mill and turned it into Riverview Park. The crumbling ruins of the mill could be still be seen in the late 1930s.
Date
1910 or 1911
Subject
Paper Mill
Publisher
Norton's Photo, Cedar Rapids
Contributor
Privately held collection, Historical Waterloo
Rights
This item is believed to be in the public domain.
Format
PNG scan of real photo postcard
Language
English
Coverage
1910 or 1911, The "Old Paper Mill", Waterloo, Iowa
Original Format
Real photo postcard
Physical Dimensions
5 1/2 x 3 3/4 inches
Collection
Citation
“Real Photo Postcard: The Old Paper Mill, Waterloo, Iowa.,” Historical Waterloo, accessed April 26, 2024, https://waterloohistory.omeka.net/items/show/61.