Baltic was formed around a cotton mill established on the Shetucket River on land purchased in 1856 by former Rhode Island Governor and U.S. SenatorWilliam Sprague III.[5] The A. & W. Sprague Manufacturing Co. mill burned down in 1887. Subsequently, Frederick Sayles of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, purchased the site and built the Baltic Mills Co. cotton mill, which opened in 1899. The company operated until 1963, when the mill was sold to a syndicate from New York. The mill continued operating until 1967, when it was closed and the property and equipment were sold. In 1970 the property was sold to the Casper Division of Bevis Industries, which used it for a mail order operation.[6]
The historic district includes 208 contributing buildings and two other contributing structures over a 122-acre (49 ha) area.
In August 1999, the remains of the mill were destroyed by fire. There was only one building that survived although it was also critically damaged
. It was soon after discovered that campus was set ablaze by three local boys.[7]
On April 23, 2018, the mill was set on fire again. Fire officials said hot sparks hit debris from citing pipes, likely sparking the flames of the fire.[8]
Demographics
As of the 2010 census the Baltic CDP had a population of 1,250. The racial composition of Baltic was 81.0% white, 3.7% black or African American, 1.6% Native American, 2.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 5.4% from some other race and 5.7% from two or more races. 8.7% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.[9]
Events
Baltic is the site of a monthly Sprague River Run on the Shetucket River from April to October, which includes tubing and activities for children and adults.[10]
