Charlton Mill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Charlton Mill
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | 109 Howe St., Fall River, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1911 |
| MPS | Fall River MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 83000650 |
| Added to NRHP | February 16, 1983 |
The Charlton Mill is a very old and important building in Fall River, Massachusetts. It's a historic textile mill located at 109 Howe Street. This mill was built in 1911. It was the last stone mill constructed in Fall River. It was also the first mill there to use both steam and electricity for power. The Charlton Mill became a part of the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. This means it's recognized as a special historical site.
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About Charlton Mill
The Charlton Mill is located in the southern part of Fall River. It stands on the west side of Cook Pond. The main building is three stories tall. It is about 374 feet (114 meters) long. It is also about 154 feet (47 meters) wide.
Other Buildings at the Mill
Besides the main mill building, there are other structures. These include a boiler house. There is also an engine house. A storage building is also still standing. The mill originally used a powerful steam engine. It also had a steam turbine for power.
Early Plans for the Mill
When the mill was first planned, there were bigger ideas. The company wanted to build a large weave shed. This shed was located north of the main mill. It has since been taken down. There were also plans for a second spinning mill. This mill was supposed to be built west of the first one. However, this second mill was never constructed.
History of Charlton Mill
The Charlton Mill was built in 1911. It was the very last mill in Fall River to be made of granite stone. The main person behind its creation was Earl P. Charlton. He was the president of the company.
Who Was Earl P. Charlton?
Earl P. Charlton was a very successful businessman. He started a chain of 53 "five and dime" stores. These were stores where many items cost five or ten cents. In 1912, he helped start the famous F. W. Woolworth Company. This company became a very large chain of stores.
Unique Design of the Mill
The Charlton Mill looked different from older mills in Fall River. It was much wider than most. It also had very large windows. These features made it stand out. By 1917, the mill was very busy. It had 55,992 spindles. It also had 1,300 looms. These machines were used to make fine cotton fabrics.
Later Years of the Mill
The Charlton Mill company was sold in 1938. The building continued to be used for making textiles. It remained a textile factory until at least the 1980s.
