Blackstone Manufacturing Company Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Blackstone Manufacturing Company Historic District
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Roughly the area surrounding Butler, Canal, Church, County, Ives, Main, Mendon, Old Mendon, and School Sts., Blackstone, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 30 acres (12 ha) |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Italianate, Queen Anne |
| NRHP reference No. | 95001038 |
| Added to NRHP | August 25, 1995 |
The Blackstone Manufacturing Company Historic District is a special area in Blackstone, Massachusetts. It's like a preserved neighborhood that shows how people lived and worked long ago. This district was once the heart of an industrial village. It grew around the Blackstone Manufacturing Company, which started making things in 1809.
This historic area includes streets like Butler, Canal, Church, and Main. You can find many different kinds of homes where workers used to live. There's also an old granite building that was once a storehouse. This is the only company building still standing today. The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995. This means it's recognized as an important historical site.
Contents
What Was the Blackstone Manufacturing Company?
The Blackstone Manufacturing Company was started in 1808. Investors from Providence, Rhode Island, created it. This company was one of many that used the Blackstone River for power. The river helped run their machines. The company played a big part in the growth of Blackstone Village in the 1800s.
Life in a Company Town
The company owned much of the land in the village. They built a whole "company town" for their workers. This meant they provided homes for families. They also built a school for children and a church for the community. The company even offered other services for its employees. It was a complete community built by the company.
The Old Mill Complex
The main mill building was located near what is now Old Mendon Street. It was one of the first mills built in the United States. Only the Slater Mill in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, was built earlier. Today, the mill complex is mostly gone. You can still see clues like old waterways that are now filled in. These are like archaeological remains. The company operated on its own until 1924. Then, another company called Lonsdale Company took it over.
Exploring the Historic District Today
The historic district covers an interesting area. On the north, it's bordered by Main Street. On the east, it's near Bridge Street. The eastern part of this area is where the mill used to be. To the west, you'll find a small group of streets. These streets were built by the company. They are filled with homes for the workers.
Types of Homes and Buildings
Most of the homes were "tenements." These were buildings with two to six separate living spaces. They were made of wood and originally had wooden siding. The company also built a few homes for single families. Other important buildings include the Blackstone Inn, built around 1920. There's also the beautiful 1836 Greek Revival Congregational Church. Two old school buildings are also part of the district.
Images for kids
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Southern New England Trunkline Trail bridge over Canal Street, one of four railroad bridges in the district
