THERES MORE! Here we are at the other side of the river looking towards the factory and the bridge across the Westfield River.

The mica mines in the Chester Blandford State Forest were operated in the 19th century when the mica was transported by cart to a mill on old Route 20. It was then processed and sold as isinglass to be used as peek windows in wood stoves among other things. Yesterday we showed you the mill on the Route 20 side of the Westfield River beleived to be the Schreiner Mica Mill named so at one time.  ON THE OTHER SIDE OF the river lies the the Chester Mica and Porcelain Company and even larger mill employing more than the Chester Emery Mills. Located on Old State Road here is from this side, including a BRIDGE across the Westfield River wow!

During World War II, the government requested the reopening of the mica mines to offset the critical shortage of mica used in the insulation of aircraft spark plugs. Since the Chester mica was low grade for this purpose, the Chester Mica Company was hesitant about sinking the necessary shaft. The government, however, reassured them that they would be reimbursed so they went ahead with the project. Mining continued for three years, but after the war the government didn’t fulfill its promise and the Company went bankrupt. Private property by landowner permission only.

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