American Printing Co. and Metacomet Mill: Difference between revisions

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Coordinates: 41°42′10″N 71°9′42″W / 41.70278°N 71.16167°W / 41.70278; -71.16167
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{{Infobox NRHP
{{Infobox_nrhp
|| name = American Printing Co. and Metacomet Mill
| name = American Printing Co. and Metacomet Mill
|| nrhp_type =
| nrhp_type =
|| image = Metacomet Mill.jpg
| image = Metacomet Mill.jpg
|| caption = Metacomet Mill, built 1847
| caption = Metacomet Mill, built 1847
|| location= [[Fall River, Massachusetts]]
| location = Anawan St., [[Fall River, Massachusetts]]
| coordinates = {{coord|41|42|10|N|71|9|42|W|display=inline,title}}
|| lat_degrees =
| locmapin = Massachusetts#USA
|| lat_minutes =
| built = {{start date|1847}}
|| lat_seconds =
⚫
| architect = Durfee, Bradford
|| lat_direction =
⚫
| architecture = various
|| long_degrees =
| added = February 16, 1983
|| long_minutes =
| area = {{convert|8.6|acre}}
|| long_seconds =
| mpsub = {{NRHP url|id=64000279|title=Fall River MRA}}
|| long_direction =
⚫
| refnum = 83000617<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref>
|| locmapin =
}}
|| area =
⚫
The '''Metacomet Mill''', built in 1847 by [[Colonel Richard Borden]] for the manufacture of cotton textiles, is the oldest remaining [[textile mill]] in [[Fall River, Massachusetts]].
|| built = 1847-1906
⚫
|| architect= various, unknown
⚫
|| architecture= No Style Listed
|| added = 1983
|| governing_body = Private
⚫
|| refnum=83000617<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2008a}}</ref>}}


⚫
The adjacent '''American Printing Company Mill No. 7''' (also known as Fall River Iron Works Mill No.7) was constructed in 1906 for the production of cotton print cloth.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.sailsinc.org/durfee/fenner1911.pdf |title=Centennial History of Fall River, 1911 |access-date=2008-06-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051227154234/http://www.sailsinc.org/durfee/fenner1911.pdf |archive-date=2005-12-27 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
⚫
The '''Metacomet Mill''', built in 1847 by [[Colonel Richard Borden]] for the manufacture of cotton textiles, is the oldest remaining textile mill in [[Fall River, Massachusetts]].

⚫
The adjacent '''American Printing Company Mill No. 7''' (also known as Fall River Iron Works Mill No.7) was constructed in 1906 for the production of cotton print cloth.<ref>[http://www.sailsinc.org/durfee/fenner1911.pdf Centennial History of Fall River, 1911]</ref>


Both structures were added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1983, and today contain a variety of small businesses.
Both structures were added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1983, and today contain a variety of small businesses.


The site was also photographed and surveyed by [[Jack E. Boucher]] in 1968, as part of the [[Historic American Buildings Survey]].<ref name="lcweb2.loc.gov">[http://lcweb2.loc.gov/pp/hhquery.html HABS listing, Metacomet Mill]</ref>
The site was also photographed and surveyed by [[Jack E. Boucher]] in 1968, as part of the [[Historic American Buildings Survey]].<ref name="lcweb2.loc.gov">[http://lcweb2.loc.gov/pp/hhquery.html HABS listing, Metacomet Mill]</ref>

==Historical background==
==Historical background==
[[Image:APC Mill No7.jpg|thumb|left|American Printing Company Mill No. 7, built 1906]]
[[Image:APC Mill No7.jpg|thumb|left|American Printing Company Mill No. 7, built 1906]]
The Metacomet Mill was originally constructed in 1847 by Colonel Richard Borden, a prominent local industrialist who had begun the [[Fall River Iron Works]] in 1821. The plans for the mill were brought from [[Bolton, England]] by Major Durfee and William Davol, and it was considered a "model mill" for its time.<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=dsgMAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=history+of+fall+river#PPA57,M1 A Centennial History of Fall River, Mass]</ref> The mill was constructed of native field stones over the stream of the falling [[Quequechan River]], which powered the machinery of the early mill. It originally had a gable roof and was five and one-half stories tall. The Metacomet Mill is also significant in that it was the first recorded use of [[cast iron]] girders and beams for mill construction in the [[United States]].<ref name="lcweb2.loc.gov"/> The cast iron beams and girders were an improvement on timber supports, which tended to become soft over time, resulting in a slight sagging in the floors, and upsetting the operation of machinery.
The Metacomet Mill was originally constructed in 1847 by Colonel Richard Borden, a prominent local industrialist who had begun the [[Fall River Iron Works]] in 1821. The plans for the mill were brought from [[Bolton, England]] by Major Durfee and William Davol, and it was considered a "model mill" for its time.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=dsgMAAAAYAAJ&q=history+of+fall+river&pg=PA57 A Centennial History of Fall River, Mass]</ref> The mill was constructed of native field stones over the stream of the falling [[Quequechan River]], which powered the machinery of the early mill. It originally had a gable roof and was five and one-half stories tall. The Metacomet Mill is also significant in that it was the first recorded use of [[cast iron]] girders and beams for mill construction in the [[United States]].<ref name="lcweb2.loc.gov"/> The cast iron beams and girders were an improvement on timber supports, which tended to become soft over time, resulting in a slight sagging in the floors, and upsetting the operation of machinery.


The Metacomet Mill was substantially enlarged later in the 19th century, and a steam engine was added to supplement the power of the falls. It later became known as "Iron Works" Mill No.6.
The Metacomet Mill was substantially enlarged later in the 19th century, and a steam engine was added to supplement the power of the falls. It later became known as "Iron Works" Mill No.6.


The American Printing Company Mill No.7, constructed of red brick in 1906, just upstream from the Metacomet Mill, on the site of the former Anawan Mill, also originally built by Colonel Richard Borden in 1825. Mill No. 7 was the last expansion of the [[Fall River Iron Works|American Printing Company]], once the largest employer in [[Fall River]] during the height of its cotton textile industry. It is also known as "Iron Works" Mill No.7, as this was the name of the cloth-producing division of the same company; a tribute to the company's roots in 1821. Mill No.7 featured a Gothic-style engine house, which can still be seen today, along Anawan Street.
The American Printing Company Mill No.7, constructed of red brick in 1906, just upstream from the Metacomet Mill, on the site of the former Anawan Mill, also originally built by Colonel Richard Borden in 1825. Mill No. 7 was the last expansion of the [[Fall River Iron Works|American Printing Company]], once the largest employer in [[Fall River, Massachusetts|Fall River]] during the height of its cotton textile industry. It is also known as "Iron Works" Mill No.7, as this was the name of the cloth-producing division of the same company; a tribute to the company's roots in 1821. Mill No.7 featured a Gothic-style engine house, which can still be seen today, along Anawan Street.


==The Site Today==
==The site today==
[[Image:Que-Falls.jpg|thumb|Quequechan River falls near the Metacomet Mill, Fall River, Massachusetts]]
[[Image:Que-Falls.jpg|thumb|Quequechan River falls near the Metacomet Mill, Fall River, Massachusetts]]
Metacomet Mill and American Printing Company Mill Number 7 are the only two mills existing over the falls of the [[Quequechan River]], which once had several mills in the steep stretch between downtown and the waterfront.
Metacomet Mill and American Printing Company Mill Number 7 are the only two mills existing over the falls of the [[Quequechan River]], which once had several mills in the steep stretch between downtown and the waterfront.
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==See also==
==See also==
*[[Fall River Iron Works|American Printing Company]]
*[[Fall River Iron Works|American Printing Company]]
*[[Fall River Manufactory]]
*[[History of Fall River, Massachusetts]]
*[[History of Fall River, Massachusetts]]
*[[Quequechan River]]
*[[Quequechan River]]
⚫
*[[National Register of Historic Places listings in Fall River, Massachusetts]]
*[[List of mills in Fall River, Massachusetts]]
*[[List of mills in Fall River, Massachusetts]]
⚫
*[[National Register of Historic Places listings in Fall River, Massachusetts]]


==References==
==References==
{{commons category|American Printing Company}}
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


{{National Register of Historic Places}}
{{National Register of Historic Places in Massachusetts}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:American Printing Co. And Metacomet Mill}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:American Printing Co. And Metacomet Mill}}
[[Category:Industrial buildings and structures on the National Register of Historic Places in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Industrial buildings and structures on the National Register of Historic Places in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Mills in Fall River, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Textile mills in Fall River, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Industrial archaeology]]
[[Category:Industrial buildings completed in 1847]]
[[Category:1847 architecture]]
[[Category:Industrial archaeological sites in the United States]]
[[Category:Textile mills in the United States]]
[[Category:Industrial buildings and structures in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Fall River, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:1847 establishments in Massachusetts]]

Latest revision as of 17:02, 22 September 2023

American Printing Co. and Metacomet Mill
Metacomet Mill, built 1847
American Printing Co. and Metacomet Mill is located in Massachusetts
American Printing Co. and Metacomet Mill
American Printing Co. and Metacomet Mill is located in the United States
American Printing Co. and Metacomet Mill
LocationAnawan St., Fall River, Massachusetts
Coordinates41°42′10″N 71°9′42″W / 41.70278°N 71.16167°W / 41.70278; -71.16167
Area8.6 acres (3.5 ha)
Built1847 (1847)
ArchitectDurfee, Bradford
Architectural stylevarious
MPSFall River MRA
NRHP reference No.83000617[1]
Added to NRHPFebruary 16, 1983

The Metacomet Mill, built in 1847 by Colonel Richard Borden for the manufacture of cotton textiles, is the oldest remaining textile mill in Fall River, Massachusetts.

The adjacent American Printing Company Mill No. 7 (also known as Fall River Iron Works Mill No.7) was constructed in 1906 for the production of cotton print cloth.[2]

Both structures were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, and today contain a variety of small businesses.

The site was also photographed and surveyed by Jack E. Boucher in 1968, as part of the Historic American Buildings Survey.[3]

Historical background[edit]

American Printing Company Mill No. 7, built 1906

The Metacomet Mill was originally constructed in 1847 by Colonel Richard Borden, a prominent local industrialist who had begun the Fall River Iron Works in 1821. The plans for the mill were brought from Bolton, England by Major Durfee and William Davol, and it was considered a "model mill" for its time.[4] The mill was constructed of native field stones over the stream of the falling Quequechan River, which powered the machinery of the early mill. It originally had a gable roof and was five and one-half stories tall. The Metacomet Mill is also significant in that it was the first recorded use of cast iron girders and beams for mill construction in the United States.[3] The cast iron beams and girders were an improvement on timber supports, which tended to become soft over time, resulting in a slight sagging in the floors, and upsetting the operation of machinery.

The Metacomet Mill was substantially enlarged later in the 19th century, and a steam engine was added to supplement the power of the falls. It later became known as "Iron Works" Mill No.6.

The American Printing Company Mill No.7, constructed of red brick in 1906, just upstream from the Metacomet Mill, on the site of the former Anawan Mill, also originally built by Colonel Richard Borden in 1825. Mill No. 7 was the last expansion of the American Printing Company, once the largest employer in Fall River during the height of its cotton textile industry. It is also known as "Iron Works" Mill No.7, as this was the name of the cloth-producing division of the same company; a tribute to the company's roots in 1821. Mill No.7 featured a Gothic-style engine house, which can still be seen today, along Anawan Street.

The site today[edit]

Quequechan River falls near the Metacomet Mill, Fall River, Massachusetts

Metacomet Mill and American Printing Company Mill Number 7 are the only two mills existing over the falls of the Quequechan River, which once had several mills in the steep stretch between downtown and the waterfront.

During the 1960s the mill complex was completely surrounded by the construction of Interstate 195 and the approach ramps to the Braga Bridge. Today, it is still possible to view the falls of the Quequechan River, for which the City of Fall River was named. Two small dams, on either side of the Number 7 mill "daylight" into small pools before flowing under the mills. The rest of the river was diverted into underground channels in the 1960s with the highway construction.

The Quequechan River "daylights" at the far end of the parking lot for the Metacomet Mill, beneath the Braga Bridge, adjacent to the railroad tracks.

The two historic mills currently contain a variety of small businesses, including the W.O.W. fitness center, and others. One of the site's two historic brick smokestacks contains a sign advertising the fitness center, while the other contains mobile telephone transmission equipment. Due of the highway construction, the site remains a rather isolated pocket between downtown and the waterfront.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to American Printing Company.
  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. ^ "Centennial History of Fall River, 1911" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2005-12-27. Retrieved 2008-06-28.
  3. ^ a b HABS listing, Metacomet Mill
  4. ^ A Centennial History of Fall River, Mass
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