Snuff Mills Sent into Retirement
 Source: Jeff Granit |
Last week developers finally moved in to demolish four remaining snuff mills in Helmetta, New Jersey, to make way for a retirement home amongst other things. The project has been a bone of contention amongst the community for many years with some residents believing in preserving the historic buildings and others wanting to bring progress and regeneration to the area.
The snuff mills date back to the 1880s when the company was founded by George W. Helme. A community grew up around the snuff mill, which was finally closed in 1993 and has stood empty ever since.
Former President of the Highland Park development firm, Michale Kaplan said,
"It has always served as a great example of turn-of-the-century America," Michael Kaplan said. "These buildings tell the story of that long ago growth. It was a source of employment for many residents ... This is our opportunity to recreate what once was. We will be breathing new life into some of these classic buildings, [and] we are making way for new structures that will also stand the test of time."
