Central Mills Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Central Mills Historic District
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Roughly bounded by Quinebaug River, North St., and Central St., Southbridge, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1908 |
| Architectural style | Romanesque |
| MPS | Southbridge MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 89000595 |
| Added to NRHP | June 22, 1989 |
The Central Mills Historic District is a special place in Southbridge, Massachusetts. It's an old factory area right by the Quinebaug River. This district includes three brick buildings, with parts of the oldest one dating back to 1837! Even though it was rebuilt a lot in the early 1900s, it still looks like a 19th-century mill.
A Look at Central Mills
The Central Manufacturing Company started way back in 1837. It became one of the biggest employers in Southbridge for many years. The company built its factories where the town's first grist and sawmills used to be. The whole town actually grew up around this important factory!
By the late 1800s, many textile mills in New England were struggling. This was because of new competition from factories in the South. But Central Manufacturing decided to do something different. In 1908, they started a big renovation project. They tore down a large part of their original 1837 factory. In its place, they built the two-story brick building you see today. A small part of the 1837 building is still attached to the back.
The main factory building is designed in the Romanesque Revival style. This means it has cool features like rounded arch windows and a small tower.
The Buildings of the District
Besides the main factory, there are two other important buildings in the Central Mills complex.
- One is a small, single-story office building. It was also built in 1908 and has the same Romanesque Revival style. This building is on the same property as the main factory.
- The third building is a brick warehouse. It was built in 1915 and looks more practical and simple. This warehouse is located across North Street from the main factory, but it also faces Foster Street.
A Historic Landmark
Because of its important history and unique architecture, the Central Mills Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. This means it's recognized as a special place worth preserving!
