When I interviewed for my first travel physical therapy position, my soon to be boss said ‘you do
know this is a mill town, right?’ She said it with such conviction, almost as
if to say there is nothing to do here,
are you sure you want to come? During
this interview I couldn’t help but reminisce about the many ski races I
competed in at Black Mountain in Rumford and the smell of ‘the mill’ that went
along with these memories. There
was something alluring about this ‘mill town’ though. I couldn’t put my finger on it but I knew working in
Rumford, ME would be an experience that would never be forgotten. My intuitions were correct.
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| A view of the mill taken from Rumford Falls |
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| A truck at the mill unloading wood chips |
A lot of wood chips!
Rumford, according to many of my patients 'ain't what it used to be.' Many refer to it as a 'ghost town' since the mill has downsized. The first paper mill was opened in 1893, which brought an infusion of money and people to the town of Rumford. Since that time the mill has changed hands numerous times and has downsized from 3,000 to just 500 employees in 2012. Townspeople frequently recall the movie theater and the numerous other forms of entertainment that used to spark the nightlife in Rumford; all destriyed by the downsizing of the mill. With the downsizing of the mill and the resultant decrease in the economic state of the town, many wonder if Rumford can survive today. 10,000 people lived in Rumford when the mill first opened. Now, just below 5,000 residents occupy this rural town. Some of the places you will see as you cross the bridges from Mexico into Rumford include: Rumford Hospital, Paul Bunyon statue, Dunkin Donuts, Mardens, the New Page Mill and one of the best Chinese Restaurants in New England. Rumford is also the home of Rumford Falls on the Androscoggin River. These are the highest falls east of Niagra with a total vertical drop of 176 feet. Dams and canals were built in 1890 to generate electricity (used to power the mill). Today, 40 kilowatts of electricity are generated by both the upper and lower falls (photo below). This town really is beautiful and has a ton of potential; a tourist attraction must be developed to feed the economy and keep this mill town up and running...
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| Paul Bunyon Statue |
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| Rumford Falls after a large rain storm |
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| Rumford Falls |
