“Wheels” encapsulates Lebanon’s history in.a neat bundle, from water wheels to railroads and bicycles, with subtle references to the Mascoma River and the Greenway Rail Trail.
As you have walked, run, or biked by the “Wheels” sculpture on the MRG (behind the “Miracle Mile”) have you ever wondered about its meaning? “Wheels” celebrated the opening of the Mascoma River Greenway and was envisioned by Susan K. Johnson of Lebanon.
The waterwheel represents Lebanon’s first sawmill, built in 1763, just downstream from this spot. The steam engine wheel represents the railroad that arrived in 1847. The river and railroad tracks are a map of the current MRG, and the bike wheel represents part of the trail’s purpose today.
One of the MRG’s missions is to connect West Lebanon and Lebanon. This junction of trail, river and road marks the midpoint between the two towns.
This public art project was sponsored by The AVA Gallery and Art Center, Lebanon Recreation and Parks, and the Mascoma River Greenway Coalition.
Roger Goldenberg, the former Studio Manager for the Bente Torjusen West Sculptural Studies Building at AVA Gallery and Art Center, was essential in the construction of “Wheels”. He generously gave advice and crucial assistance, and designed and built the supporting brace. Hypertherm.com donated technical knowledge and the use of their facilities for the cutting of the aluminum river. The train wheel was cut by ThirdShiftFabrication.com.
July 21, 2018 susankjohnson.com
Here is a bit of history about the original Oliver Davison’s Mill that was built near that site in 1762: (Also known aa Hubbard’s Saw and Grist Mill)
Known owners: Oliver Davison until his death in 1769; Davison estate 1769-1775; Thomas Blake, 1775-c. 1784; Richard Kimball, George Hubbard, Luther Waters, George and Erastus Chamberlain, c. 1784-1814; Samuel Tucker, 1814; William Knight, 1817; Thomas Rae; Uriah Amsden and Orren Hubbard, 1825-1826; Philip Cambridge, 1826-after 1839.
Status & Significance: Rebuilt after 1770 fire. Later became a saw and grist mill, then the cloth dressing mill of Philip Cambridge in the 1830s. Gone by 1860. Despite being the first mill in town, the site has been destroyed and holds no archaeological significance.
Text reference: Leavitt; Downs: 13, 38, 55, 98, 239; Child: 410; Carroll: 7, 43, 81; Lebanonian July, 1899: 7. Deed Book 79, p. 448
Location/Associated Sites: Near Dudley (Hubbards) Bridge/Route 4 Bridge Abutments and 1892 Power Station.
For more Info on the historic water mills of Lebanon see https://lebanonnh.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7051/Mills-of-Lebanon-NH-Presentation
The Mascoma River Greenway 
Thank you Pat and others for filling in the answer to “what was that dam and building for” at the top of the rapids dropping down to that pool just above the railroad bridge. We have been trying to figure that our for a while, with early power generation being one of the theories. It would be nice to restore the building just below the bridge that was a power station, but it does appear to be too far gone. A marker would at least answer that question that I ma sure many other people have about that building.
Hi Bart, Yes, it would be interesting to have more historical markers noting the importance of both the Mascoma River and the railroad in Lebanon’s history – the river that powered the mills of early Lebanon and the railroad that facilitated the import and export of goods to and from those mills. And prior to the mills, to the Abenaki, Mascoma meant “salmon fishing place with much grass.” They lived seasonally in Lebanon, taking advantage of accesibility by water, rich soil, and abundant wildlife for hunting. See more at https://lebanonnh.gov/707/History-of-Lebanon