From the Richmond Whig, 4/25/1865
THE GALLEGO MILLS.
– We take from the columns of this paper, published before the war, a
description of the last erected portion of the Gallego mills, which will be read
with additional interest, now that blackened walls are all that remain of the
once magnificent fabric. The building described, was one of three, composing
together the Gallego mills, the flour turned out by which was known over the
whole world, and commanded in Rio and Australia a dollar a barrel more than any
other American brand. We quote:
Richmond can boast
of having within its limits the largest flouring mill in the world. The erection
of the mill was regularly commenced some time in the year 1854. The
superstructure rests upon a solid foundation of granite, the base of which is
seventeen and a half feet thick. The width tapers to a thickness of six feet at
the top course of granite. The average thickness of the brick walls, forming the
first four stories above canal street, is three feet two inches. The great mill
is twelve stories in height, fronts ninety-six feet on Canal street, and is one
hundred and sixty-five feet deep. The height of the front wall is one hundred
and twenty-one feet to the top course of bricks. Including the observatory the
total height is one hundred and thirty-five feet. The rear wall, embracing a
part of the granite foundation, is one hundred and forty-seven feet high. Each
floor contains 155,000 square feet – or rather more than three and a half
acres. Altogether, the available space within the walls of this building is
about 200,000 square feet. We have no positive information as to the cost of
this immense structure, but presume that the sum will not fall short of
$130,000.
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