Skip to main content

Rand-Place papers

 Collection
Identifier: D.357

Biographical / Historical note

Daniel Curtis Rand came from New England in 1863. He settled in Pittsford and opened the powder mill, where he manufactured blasting powder used in western New York stone quarries and the coal mines in northern Pennsylvania. Gun powder, which played an important part in the Civil War, was also manufactured at the powder mill. A native of New Hampshire, Rand had learned the business in a mill owned by his sister, Lucia Rand, in Middleton, Connecticut. Ready to open his own business, Rand traveled to western NY. One evening, he met Mortimer Wadhams, who operated a grist mill at Railroad Mills. Rand knew exactly what the site of the business should contain: it must have water, readily available shipping facilities, and most importantly, a secluded location due to potential accidents and explosions. He wanted some hills, too, and upon seeing that particular section of Irondequoit Creek, not far from Wadhams mill, his search ended. Wadhams joined Rand, and their business became known as Rand and Wadhams Manufacturing of Mining, Blasting and Sporting Powder. In 1900, the business was renamed the D.C. Rand Powder Co. Rand had learned much about the dangers of explosions at the Middleton plant, and his plan was to build several mills, one for each step in the process, a good distance from each other. Wooden pegs were used in the construction to lessen the chance of sparks which might ignite dangerous explosives. A little wooden railroad connected the buildings, and wooden wheels were used on a flat car to carry materials from one building to another. A machine shop was built high on a hill to keep the forge far away from the explosives. It was here, also, that Rand built his homestead for his bride - the daughter of his partner - Stella Wadhams. The couple had four sons, C. Mortimer, Robert, Samuel, and Phillip, and three daughters, Lucia, Lucy, and Stella. Daniel Rand died when his son, Phillip, was 14. Phillip and his mother took over the business, which continued to operate until about 1910 after a series of unfortunate explosions. The Rand homestead was called "Oakridge." The powder mill property was sold to Monroe County around 1930 for the development of a county park, and at that time, the homestead was torn down.

Scope and Contents

This collection is comprised of 3 archival boxes which contain business and legal correspondence of the D.C. Powder Co., household inventory lists, two nineteenth century Valentines, a copy of a Rand family hand written newspaper, and a lithograph print of "Rochester Powder Mill," ca. 1876.

Creator

Dates

  • Creation: 1909-1932

Language of Materials

English

Extent

3 box(es)

Access

The Rand-Place Papers is open for research use. Researchers are advised to contact the Rare Books, Special Collections & Preservation Department prior to visiting. Upon arrival, researchers will also be asked to fill out a registration form and provide photo identification.

Use

In consultation with a curator, reproductions may be made upon request. Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from a curator. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This material was given to the University of Rochester, Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, in March and April, 2002. It was donated by Mr. Robert Place, descendant of Daniel Curtis Rand.

Preferred Citation

[Item title, item date], Rand-Place Papers, D.357, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester

Title
Rand-Place papers
Author
Finding aid prepared by Rare Books and Special Collections staff
Date
undated
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Library Details

Part of the Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation Library

Contact:
Rochester NY 14627-0055 USA