James Plumbing and Heating Oil Co. was established in 1967 by Stephen L. James and Carol A. James.
For over 45 years, Mr. and Mrs. James provided quality plumbing services to local residents and the surrounding communities. In 1995, their youngest son, Tony James, expanded the business by adding heating oil delivery services. In 2010, Tony purchased the company from his parents, with a vision of growing the business beyond plumbing services to include the delivery of heating oil, propane, and kerosene products, as well as servicing heating equipment.
Tony later made the decision to relocate the business from the family home to a new, dedicated location. He chose a historic site along the Saxtons River on the outskirts of Bellows Falls, VT. Tony’s passion for preserving local history led him to take on the significant project of restoring the old Green Mountain Paper Mill, a building with deep historical ties to Bellows Falls and its industrial boom at the turn of the century.
Restoring the Mill
During the restoration of the Mill, Tony transformed the old Paper Mill into a beautifully restored brick building featuring interior post-and-beam construction. His main focus was to preserve the original brickwork and maintain its rustic charm. Today, some of the original brick walls and the iconic smokestack are still standing. Walking into the office, you experience a blend of pastoral charm and modern ambiance. In 2017, James Plumbing and Heating was recognized by the Town of Rockingham with the Old House Award for their restoration efforts.
Tony James not only preserved the historical building but also upheld the core values of the James family business—delivering exceptional customer service and offering 24-hour emergency services to all their customers.