The woolen industry played an important part in Dexter's growth from 1830 to 1860. During that time six different woolen factories were constructed. Three are pictured here; the White Mill (upper left), the "Brick" or Union Mill (upper right), and the Stone or Dunbarton Mill (bottom). The White Mill was first constructed in 1842 as a grist mill by the Abbott brothers. In 1846 it was purchased by the firm of Farrar & Cutler, who added 80 feet to the structure and had the building operating as a woolen factory in 90 days. The mill was located at the intersection of Mill and Water Streets, and burned during a spectacular fire in July 1940. The "Brick" Mill or Union Mill, now Dexter Shoe Company's No. 1 shop, was constructed in 1848 by the firm of Foss & Conant. It was addd to extensively and became the home of the Dexter Shoe Company in 1957, when they located in Dexter. The Stone or Dunbarton Mill was constructed in 1844 by Farrar & Cutler to replace their mill that burned the previous year. The two bottom stories were made of stone quarried in Dexter and two stories of wood were later added on in 1867. The mill was razed in 1974 and is now the site of the Chia Apartments.

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