Granite Mills
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Granite Mills
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Invalid designation
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| Location: | Fall River, Massachusetts |
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| Built: | 1871 & 1893 |
| Architectural style: | Italianate |
| Governing body: | Private |
| MPS: | Fall River MRA |
| NRHP Reference#: |
83004610 [1] |
| Added to NRHP: | February 16, 1983 |
Granite Mills are two historic textile mills located on Bedford Street in Fall River, Massachusetts, consisting of Granite Mill No. 2 and Granite Mill No. 3.
The Granite mills were organized in 1863 with William Mason as president and Charles O. Shove as treasurer. The original Mill No. 1 was built 1864, was destroyed by fire in 1874, and was it was rebuilt. At least thirty workers were killed in the disaster, and many more were injured.[2] Workers on the upper floors faced a desperate choice, either jump five stories to the ground, or be burned to death.[3] The tragic fire led to reforms in the design of future mill buildings, requiring multiple exits and fire escapes. Mill No. 1 was soon rebuilt, but was later demolished in 1961. It stood on the site of the former China Royal restaurant in Fall River, which today contains a bank and mixed retail shops.
Mill No. 2 was constructed in 1871 from native Fall River granite in the Italianate style. In 1893, Mill No. 3 was built, also in granite, but with less ornamentation. Water for the steam-powered mills was drawn through a canal from the Quequechan River.
The company also built nearly one hundred triple decker tenement houses nearby for the accommodation of its workers.[4]
In 1932 the Granite Mills were acquired by the Pepperell Manufacturing Company[5], and continued to operate through World War II.
The site was determined elible for the National Historic Register in 1983, but omitted due to owner's objection.[6]
Mill No. 2 was the site of Anderson-Little for many years, a maker of men's suits. The building is now occupied by various businesses.
Mill No. 3 was for many years occupied by Globe Manufacturing, which manufactured rubber-based goods, including Spandex. On July 28, 2011 a smoldering fire start by a spark from a torch during remodeling of the building damaged some of the floor and caused about 10,000 dollars in damage[7]
[edit] See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Fall River, Massachusetts
- List of mills in Fall River, Massachusetts
[edit] References
- ^ National Register of Historic Places
- ^ The Cotton Mills of Fall River
- ^ South Coast Today - Learning from the mistakes of the past
- ^ Earle, 1877, pg. 124
- ^ Phillips History of Fall River
- ^ Giza, Patricia (1984). A Guide Book to Fall River's National Register Properties. Fall River, MA: The City.
- ^ Herald News, July 28, 2011
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