Written by Cotton Schlaver for Biddeford High School History Class w/ Mr. Reddy on 01 June 2023
Overseer of Biddeford: The Building 37 Smokestack.
For as long as most can remember, the Pepperell Mill building 37 Smokestack has quietly watched over the bustle and industry of Biddeford, Maine. Its towering form has overseen our day-to-day life, with many photographs featuring its bulk in the background, looming over the rest of the Mill complex.
It was built in 1916 to funnel smoke out of the coal burner energy/steam-producing Building 37, and it served its purpose well until 2009 when the building was shut down. Building 37 was an essential part of the mill, burning coal to heat water into steam, electricity, and heat which powered the mills and some surrounding homes. The building was converted into an Oil-boiler system from coal in 1936, and later into a highly efficient natural gas system, which provided even more power and heat to the mill and town.
Ever since I moved to Maine in 2012, I have loved the design and simplicity of the Smokestack, which fits so snugly into the skyline of the mills. I remember walking around it with my tiny legs on some of my first trips around the Pepperell complex, and it always amazed my young self that other people could build something so tall and mighty. Little did I know back then that my parents would host an event that would change the Biddeford skyline forever.
On October 3rd, 2015 my parents Julian Schlaver and Roxi Suger hosted the 2nd annual Biddeford Ball, an event that captured the hearts of over 400 attendees. The event featured a stunning runway show run by Angelrox ®, and many delicious foods prepared and donated by local restaurants. The ball was a fundraiser, with the main goal to accomplish an incredible feat—lighting up the building 37 smokestack. The ball went on to raise an astounding $23,148, funds well over the goal. These funds were used to purchase four specialized high-efficiency LED lights, coming in at over $2,500 each. They had done it, my parents had completed their goal of revolutionizing the nighttime skyline of Biddeford with the addition of lights onto the Building 37 smokestack.
Before, when you crossed the mill complex at night, you saw nothing but a looming mass of brick and mortar. However now, when you drive by you can see the gleaming, beautifully illuminated historic smokestack, standing out against the stark black sky. It is a wonderful sight, and I feel proud every time I am lucky enough to see it. The lighting ceremony took place nearly 100 years after the building was originally built, and will be lit for hopefully 100 more. The smokestack has also led to increased tourism, with some Maine citizens visiting to see the awesome sight.
In conclusion, the Pepperell mill complex has been the heart of Biddeford for hundreds of years, and the Building 36 smokestack is a large part of that. It has long watched Biddeford, with smoke silently churning from its mouth, and will for a long time coming. The Smokestack hasalways been special to me, and I am proud to be part of a family that helped light it up.
Gotthelf, Liz. “Smoke Stack Lights up Biddeford Gateway.” Press Herald, 12 Nov. 2019
