Billerica Mills Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Billerica Mills Historic District
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Old Talbot Mills
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | North Billerica, Massachusetts |
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| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Other, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 83003996 |
| Added to NRHP | November 10, 1983 |
The Billerica Mills Historic District is a special area in North Billerica, Massachusetts. It's a place where old factory buildings and homes built for workers still stand. This district shows us what life was like when textile mills were a big part of the economy. It's located near the Concord River, which was important for power.
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Discovering the Billerica Mills Historic District
This historic district is found in the village of North Billerica, Massachusetts. It covers the area between the Concord River, Treble Cove Terrace, Kohlrausch Avenue, Indian Road, Holt Ruggles, and Rogers Streets. It's like a time capsule showing how people lived and worked long ago.
The Famous Talbot Mills
At the heart of the district is the C.P. Talbot & Company mill building. This building is still standing today. The mill complex and its surrounding buildings were planned and built over many years, from the mid-1800s until the 1920s.
How the Mill Started
The Talbot brothers, Charles P. and Thomas, were very smart. In 1851, they managed to buy land next to the Concord Falls. This land used to belong to the Middlesex Canal Company, which was no longer in business. They paid $10,000 for the dam, water power rights, and about 20 acres (8.1 hectares) of land.
In 1857, C.P. Talbot bought even more land from a neighbor named Faulkner. They also made an agreement about sharing water power rights. That same year, they teamed up with the Belvidere Company from Lowell, Massachusetts. For five years, the Talbots provided water power, while Belvidere supplied the machines and the know-how to run a mill.
Building the Mill and Homes
The exact date when the large brick mill building and its clock tower were built isn't known for sure. However, it was likely between 1865 and 1870. Around this time, the Talbot brothers also started building the first company housing for their workers. These homes, called tenements, were built along Wilson Street and Talbot Avenue.
The Talbot Family and Their Legacy
The C.P. Talbot & Company mill operated for a whole century, from its beginnings until 1956. The Talbot brothers, Charles P. and Thomas, were two of eight children born to Charles and Phoebe (White) Talbot. Their parents got married in 1802.
The family moved around quite a bit. They started in Cambridge, New York, then moved to Vermont, and finally to Northampton, Massachusetts. In these places, the brothers learned all about the textile mill business. Their hard work and vision created a lasting impact on Billerica.
A Place of Historical Importance
Because of its rich history and well-preserved buildings, the Billerica Mills Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. This means it's recognized as a very important part of American history.
