Albrecht Pagenstecher

This article addresses the history of papermaking in Massachusetts.

Early paper in Massachusetts was, as was common in Europe, made from cotton and linen rags. As the 18th century progressed, the demand for printed books was increasingly met by local printers, so the demand for paper increased and rags became scarce. One paper manufacturer in Massachusetts even issued paper with a "Save Rags' watermark. The shortage was so extreme during the American Revolution, that the Committees of Safety in Massachusetts were required to appoint a rag collector in each jurisdiction.

In 1801, Zenas Crane began making paper in Dalton, Massachusetts, which later became Crane & Company. In 1857 Crane & Company began making the paper for banknotes, and it was confirmed as the paper of choice for U.S. currency beginning in 1862. As of 2012^[update], Crane & Company continues to manufacture the paper for U.S. currency.

The "Turkey" mill in Tyringham was built by Milton Ingersol in 1833 to produce paper from rags. In 1835 it became the firm of Platner and Smith, which in 1850 purchased the Union and Enterprise mills on the Housatonic River in Lee, Massachusetts, and another mill on the Laurel Lake outlet. These three mills were called the Castle and Laurel paper mills. Platner and Smith became the largest paper manufacture in the United States. Subsequently, the firm was incorporated as the Smith Paper Company.

In 1849, the Holyoke Dam was completed across the Connecticut River which started an expansion of mills, and especially paper mills throughout Massachusetts. For a time it seemed that paper mills sprung up like mushrooms, all up and down the streams in Lee, Tyringham, Stockbridge, Housatonic, Great Barrington, and there were times when men, seemingly bemused by the lure of this industry, erected little "one family" mills on their farms and went headlong into the business, knowing little or nothing about it and prospering little or none.

In 1857, the firm of Platner and Smith made paper from wood pulp, but their endeavor failed to be commercially viable because of the lengthy process used to reduce the wood to pulp and the high cost. The paper they produced was quite coarse and did not take print well.

...
Wikipedia