Arlington Mills Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Arlington Mills Historic District
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Broadway, Lawrence and Methuen, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 75 acres (30 ha) |
| Built | 1865 |
| Architect | Lockwood-Green Company |
| NRHP reference No. | 85000023 |
| Added to NRHP | January 3, 1985 |
The Arlington Mills Historic District is a special area in Lawrence and Methuen, Massachusetts. It was once a huge factory complex where people made fabrics and clothes. This important place was built between 1865 and 1925. At its busiest, it was one of the biggest textile factories in Massachusetts. Today, it is recognized as a historic district.
Contents
Discovering the Arlington Mills History
The Arlington Mills complex covers about 75 acres of land. This area sits right on the border between the towns of Lawrence and Methuen. On one side, it's next to Broadway, an old road. On the other side, it's near the Spicket River. This river was very important because it provided power for the mills in the past.
Buildings and Their Purpose
The complex has 23 buildings in total. Most of these buildings are made of brick. The largest building was built in 1896. It was used for "wool-combing," which is a step in preparing wool for spinning. This building is about 750 feet long! Another very long building, built in 1906, is about 600 feet long. It was used for "worsted weaving," which is a way of making strong, smooth wool fabric.
From Pianos to Textiles
The land where Arlington Mills stands was first used for industry around 1820. A man named Abiel Stevens built a factory there. In his factory, they made wooden cases for pianos. Stevens' first factory burned down in 1855. But he quickly rebuilt it the next year.
The Arlington Mills Company started its operations in 1865. They bought this location from Abiel Stevens. The people who invested in Arlington Mills also owned other large factories in Lawrence. In 1880, the original 1865 building was taken down. A new brick building was put up in its place. This new building is still standing today.
Growth and Contribution
Over the years, the factory complex kept growing. By 1925, it had become one of the biggest textile factories in Massachusetts. During World War I, the Arlington Mills played a big role. They made a lot of flannel and wool shirts for the United States Army. This helped support the soldiers during the war.
However, the Arlington Mills Company faced tough times later on. This happened during the Great Depression. The company struggled financially and finally closed its doors in 1952.
