Ashworth and Jones Factory facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Ashworth and Jones Factory
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1511 Main St., Worcester, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 7.7 acres (3.1 ha) |
| Built | 1870 |
| Architectural style | Mid 19th Century Industrial |
| MPS | Worcester MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 80000489 |
| Added to NRHP | March 05, 1980 |
The Ashworth and Jones Factory is a historic building in Worcester, Massachusetts. It was once a busy factory where people made fabric. Today, it has been turned into modern homes called Kettle Brook Lofts. This building is special because it shows off beautiful old factory design from the 1800s. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, which means it's an important historical site.
What is the Ashworth and Jones Factory?
The Ashworth and Jones Factory is located in the southwestern part of Worcester, Massachusetts. It's close to the town of Leicester. The factory sits on the south side of Main Street (Massachusetts Route 9).
A Look at the Building
The factory complex is made up of several buildings. They are arranged in a "U" shape. The oldest part is a three-story brick building. It has special window designs with recessed panels. Tall, thin brick columns separate the windows.
One corner of the building has a cool clock tower. This tower has a unique mansard roof that flares out. Even though parts of the factory were built over 40 years, they all look similar. They use the same brick and Victorian style.
From Factory to Homes
People started using this spot for factories way back in the early 1800s. Thomas Ashworth and Edward Jones bought the land in 1861. They started a business making "shoddy" fabric. This fabric was made from recycled materials. The first buildings they used are no longer there.
The main part of the current building was built in 1870. In the 1880s, a person named E. D. Thayer took over the business. He added many parts to the factory. He made wool fabrics until he passed away in 1907. George Duffy bought the factory in 1910. He also made the buildings even bigger.
Today, this historic factory has been changed into modern homes. They are known as Kettle Brook Lofts.
