Program

NYS Historic

Subject

Industry & Commerce

Location

6769 US-20, Bouckville, NY 13310, USA

Lat/Long

42.8901, -75.5483

Grant Recipient

Route 20 Association of New York State

Likely a recognizable name to any apple cider or applesauce aficionados, Mott’s Cider Mill began producing apple cider and vinegar in Bouckville, New York around 1868 after Samuel R. Mott partnered with other local businessmen to purchase land along the bank of the Chenango Canal, interests in a distillery premise and other select plots of property throughout the area. Mott was already familiar with the cider business having learned techniques for producing the beverage from his grandfather, Zebulon Mott, and the rapid and skillful acquisition of land and materials needed to establish a cider and vinegar mill prepared the upstart business for success, along with its location near two major trade routes: the Chenango Canal and the Cherry Valley Turnpike.

Once everything was in place and land purchased, the distillery was converted and refitted to become a cider and apple vinegar manufacturing plant with cutting-edge equipment for the time. Two years after the business began operating in earnest Mott purchased the remaining interests from his business partners, taking sole ownership of the cider and vinegar plant. The growth of the business in the years to follow was meteoric and widespread; within two years Mott had also acquired the mill of the only other large cider producer—the Peet Brothers—in the region and his products were soon shipped worldwide. Then in the 1880s Mott’s cider business became a family one when Samuel partnered with his sons, John (who already owned a cider business in NYC) and Frederick, incorporating under the name S.R. & J.C. Mott. The main office of the firm was in New York City and handled by John, while his father stayed in Bouckville and oversaw the manufacturing plant.

In 1887 The Oneida Dispatch ran an article about the local cider business in the March 11th edition of the paper detailing its growth and success, while also highlighting the process that made the cider and apple vinegar produced by the Motts so highly regarded and sought after. The article concludes with:

The industry is of great importance to Bouckville, as it gives employment to about 100 men during the season of cider and vinegar making. The Messrs. Mott have a branch office in London and their shipments to foreign lands during the year are extensive.

Samuel Mott passed away April 24th, 1915. This marker commemorates the cider business he established in Bouckville and grew with his sons. Since its creation the seeds planted by Samuel Mott continue to flourish into the 21^st century with a company that become a household name.