American Supply Company Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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American Supply Company Building
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 American Supply Company Building
Location in Rhode Island
American Supply Company Building
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1420 Broad St., Central Falls, Rhode Island |
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| Area | about 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1876 |
| Architectural style | Vernacular Industrial |
| NRHP reference No. | 100000978 |
| Added to NRHP | May 8, 2017 |
The American Supply Company Building is an old factory building in Central Falls, Rhode Island. It was built in 1876. This building was once home to a big company that made parts for weaving machines. These parts were used by textile factories nearby.
In 2017, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is an important historical site. As of 2017, the building is empty. The city owns it and is thinking about new ways to use the space.
Contents
Discovering the Building's History
The American Supply Company Building is located in northern Central Falls. You can find it on the west side of Broad Street. It sits on the south bank of the Blackstone River. Right across the street is the historic Valley Falls Mill.
What the Building Looks Like
This building is a 2-1/2 story structure made of wood. It has vinyl siding over its original wooden boards. The roof is gabled, meaning it slopes down on two sides. It also has dormers with shed roofs. The west side of the building has plywood covering it. This is because a large part of the building was taken down around the year 2000.
Inside, the building is mostly the same as it was. However, there are no longer any machines for making things. It still has parts of an old freight elevator. This elevator was powered by water or steam in the late 1800s.
How the Company Started
The American Supply Company began in 1883. It was formed when three different businesses joined together. These businesses all made parts for large textile weaving machines.
Myron Fish started one of these companies in Worcester, Massachusetts in the 1860s. He was asked to move his business to Central Falls. He was offered space in the Valley Falls complex. In 1876, Fish made a deal with the Valley Falls Company. He leased land across Broad Street. This was to build his own special factory. Fish was good at making belts, but he also made other parts.
In 1883, Fish joined with John Kendrick. Kendrick also made special parts for looms. His company was based in Providence. The new company was named the American Supply Company.
Growth and Changes Over Time
In 1890, the company made its Broad Street factory much bigger. They added a large section that was even larger than the original building. This large section was torn down around the year 2000. A boiler house and a shed that were also on the property were removed at that time.
The American Supply Company faced problems as New England's textile industry declined. Many factories closed down. The company eventually closed in 1961. From 1963 to 1991, a rug manufacturer used the building. Since 1995, the city or state has owned the building for most of the time. As of 2017, the city owns it. They are looking for new ways to use the building, especially because it is located by the river.
