Old Grist Mill—'The Place to Go'

Dozens of people gathered at the intersection of Fall River and Arcade avenues Sunday morning as they helplessly watched the destruction of a landmark that has stood since before the United States was a country and Seekonk was a town. Following an early morning fire, the  lay in ruins before the lunch hour.

Among those observing the destruction was , a third-generation Seekonk resident.

"This is a major part of Seekonk's history," Howitt said. "I've had a lot of family functions here, including my mother's 90th birthday. I had my pre-wedding dinner here. Growing up, Grist Mill was the place to go in Seekonk—and it still is."

A sign outside the popular restaurant states it was founded in 1745, but that is because this is the year the structure was first mentioned in a historical document. The building is probably older than that, . He believes it was likely built in 1738 by the original owner, Jonathan Bowen.

The building was first used for farmers to grind grain. This continued into the early 20th century. By 1933, it had fallen into disuse and the roof collapsed. Five years later, the building was transformed into a restaurant that was eventually owned by Louis Rathbone.

"He was a gentleman and he knew his business," said Seekonk resident Judy Araujo, who worked there when she was a high school student in 1949.

Rathbone was still the owner eight years later when he mistakenly started a fire that destroyed the building. Muriel Biron, who now lives in Florida, was an employee on the day of the 1957 blaze, and she remembers it vividly.

"It was a cold October morning and we were setting up for lunch," she said in a telephone interview with Seekonk Patch. "Mr. Rathbone, the owner, came in, and he decided to light the fireplace. He proceeded to do so, and he got it lit, and evidently a spark went up and hit the roof, and soon the building was on fire."

The employees were told to leave the building, but to take one object with them so some items could be salvaged. Biron took a vase.

Most of the restaurant was destroyed in the fire, but portions of it were used in the building of a new structure. Some of the original timbers, a fireplace and a chimney as well as the foundations and many artifacts were among the items included in the new restaurant.

It is not certain whether Old Grist Mill will once again rise from the ashes. An emotional Howitt said he did not think it would be possible.

"I can't see them being able to get the permits, not to mention it would cost a lot of money to restore it," Howitt said.

Esmay acknowledged the possible challenges in an interview with The Sun Chronicle, according to the newspaper, while also saying that he would like to rebuild if he could.

Even though she lives far away, Biron said she would hate to hear that the restaurant was not being rebuilt.

"It would break my heart," she said. "It is one of my favorite places."