Lonaconing Silk Mill - Lonaconing, Md - Mills and Gins on Waymarking.com

"In the early years of the mill, raw silk and Douppinni, an expensive silk that was used in the production of wedding gowns, were thrown at the mill. The throwing process involved the twisting and winding of silk into a yarn that was then used by knitters and weavers. Occasionally, the silk thread was broken due to the twisting and winding of the thread onto 4-inch bobbins, and the operator would tie the broken strands together with a silk knot. Other employees were involved in the steaming, dying and stretching of the silk, while others worked in the shipping department, sending the processed silk product to market."

"At the beginning of World War II, Klotz Throwing Company found its supply of raw silk disputed due to the United States declaring war with a major supplier: Japan. The Lonaconing Silk Mill briefly closed when the government imposed trade sanctions against all Japanese imports. But employment declined under 200 for the mill during the early parts of the war. Pay decreased, and those who were employed were frequently moved into part-time positions. Any remaining raw silk in the mill was used to produce parachute thread for the service members."

"After the war had ended, raw silk was once again spun but at a decreased percentage compared to rayon.(6) In 1946, an addition was completed on the mill to run additional synthetic materials, a sign of increased demand post-war. But the growth was only temporary. Whereas the mill once employed over 200 on three shifts had decreased to under 200 by 1950. And it was soon after that the mill roster declined to less than 100. The mill featured outdated equipment and was inefficient with newer, modern and automated facilities. Demand for silk by consumers also declined."