American Net and Twine Company Factory facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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American Net and Twine Company Factory
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | 155 2nd St., Cambridge, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1875 |
| MPS | Cambridge MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 82001906 |
| Added to NRHP | April 1, 1982 |
The American Net and Twine Company Factory is an old factory building located at 155 2nd Street in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It was built in 1875. This factory was special because it belonged to the first company in the United States to make fishing nets from cotton. Today, the building is used for modern offices. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982, which means it's an important historical site.
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About the Factory Building
This historic factory building is found in an area of East Cambridge that used to be full of industries. It sits on the west side of Second Avenue, between Charles and Rogers Streets. The building itself is shaped like an "L" and has three stories. It's made of brick and shows a style called "industrial Italianate."
Building Design Details
The windows of the factory are set in arched openings. The roof is a "truncated gable" style, which means it has a flat top with sloped sides. You can also see a row of dormer windows on the roof. The longest part of the L-shaped building faces east. Near the middle of its south side, there's a four-story tower that holds a stairwell.
Later Additions to the Building
Some parts of the building that make up the "L" shape were added later. These flat-roof sections were built between 1886 and 1916. They are made of brick, just like the original part of the factory, and match its style.
History of the Company
The American Net and Twine Company started in 1844. It was a very important company because it was the first in the United States to make fishing nets from cotton. Before this company, most fishing nets were made from hemp and had to be brought in from the United Kingdom.
Why the Factory Was Built
The company built this factory in 1875 because more and more people wanted their cotton fishing nets. The demand for their products was growing! The factory was expanded two times between 1886 and 1916 to keep up with this demand.
Current Use of the Building
Today, the old factory building is no longer making nets. Instead, it has been turned into office spaces. Many technology companies have offices here, including One Laptop per Child and Disney Research.
