Mill parade float

Mill parade float

This parade float with a model of a mill and mill wheel on it appears to be celebrating Randolph's old grist mill on Mill St., as well as the old nail forge, also on Mill St., where the float claims the first nail in the US was made. While the truth behind this claim is complicated, there was a water-powered mill for making cut nails, owned by Jesse Reed and built around 1798, on Mill St. Reed invented and patented the first machine that could both cut and head a nail, which may have been in use in this mill; this may be the "first" that the float is referring to. The float may have been constructed for a Fourth of July parade. The picture appears to have been hand-colored.

Possibly photographed by a member of the Forrest family

Digital image: Randolph Historical Commission

1925

Donated by Mildred Forrest

Collection: Mildred Forrest photographs

9999.37.58a