Boston Finishing Works facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Boston Finishing Works
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | 160 Water St., Williamstown, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 8.8 acres (3.6 ha) |
| Built | 1873 |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 16000690 |
| Added to NRHP | October 4, 2016 |
The Boston Finishing Works is a really old factory complex located at 160 Water Street in Williamstown, Massachusetts. This place started as an industrial site in 1873. It was used regularly until the year 2000. For a long time, it was one of the biggest employers in the town. Because of its history, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2016. This means it's an important historical site worth protecting.
Contents
What is the Boston Finishing Works?
The Boston Finishing Works sits on about 9 acres of land. It's in the southeastern part of Williamstown. On one side is Water Street, and on the other is the Green River. The river was super important because it was the factory's first source of power.
Buildings and Old Structures
Today, there are eight buildings left at the site. In the past, there were more than twenty! Five of these buildings make up the main factory. It's a brick building with three stories. It also has some smaller parts that are one or two stories tall.
Two other buildings are connected in an L-shape. One of these was built in 1873. It's the oldest building still standing on the property. You can also find old parts of the water system that powered the factory. These include a sluiceway and a mill pond. A sluiceway is like a channel for water. The mill pond was a small lake that held water for the factory.
A Journey Through Time: The Factory's Story
The industrial story of this place began in 1873. A man named Arthur Loop started a company here. They made cotton twine, which is a type of strong string.
Early Days and Changes
Business really grew after the railroad arrived in 1875. But the company closed in 1883. This happened after one of its main supporters passed away.
In 1892, a new company took over the site. It was called the Boston Finishing Works. They specialized in "finishing" unprocessed cotton cloth. This means they would treat the fabric to make it ready for use. This company closed in 1906.
After that, the site was used for making other fabrics. These included corduroy and velvet.
Later Industries and Modern Times
In 1930, the factory changed again. It became a place for fixing cars. Then, in 1936, a company called Cornish Wire bought it. They made electrical wires and cables. This business continued until 1960.
The wire business slowly declined through the 1970s and 1980s. Its last owner closed it down in 2000. In 2005, the town's historic commission made a decision. They ordered that most of the buildings built after 1930 be taken down. They wanted to keep only the older, more historic buildings. This helps preserve the site's long history.
