Commonwealth Avenue Historic District (North Attleborough, Massachusetts) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Commonwealth Avenue Historic District
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188 Commonwealth Avenue
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | North Attleborough, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 12.5 acres (5.1 ha) |
| Architect | Wheeler, E.R.; Field, Frank E. |
| NRHP reference No. | 03001261 |
| Added to NRHP | December 12, 2003 |
The Commonwealth Avenue Historic District is a special area in North Attleborough, Massachusetts. It's called a historic district because it has many old buildings that are important to history. This district includes beautiful 19th-century houses and two old factory buildings. It shows how wealthy factory owners and managers lived very close to their businesses back then. This historic area was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003, which means it's recognized as a place worth protecting.
What is the Commonwealth Avenue Historic District?
The Commonwealth Avenue Historic District is located in a part of North Attleborough called Attleborough Falls. This area was a major center for factories and businesses in the 1800s. Commonwealth Avenue itself used to connect North Attleborough with another town called Attleboro.
How did the area become important?
The western part of Commonwealth Avenue runs next to the Ten Mile River. This river was super important because it provided power for all the factories. People have been using the river for industry since the early 1700s, starting with a grist mill (a mill that grinds grain).
In the early 1800s, the area became even more busy. The first factory in the country to make buttons was built here in 1809! After that, many businesses that made jewelry also started up in the area.
Factories and the Homes of Their Owners
Many early factories were located near Robinson Avenue. For example, a jewelry company called B. S. Freeman Company operated in a wooden factory building at 35 Robinson Avenue from 1858 to 1913. Another jewelry factory, owned by V. H. Blackington, was built in 1858 at 140 Commonwealth Avenue.
It was common for factory owners to live close to their businesses. V. H. Blackington, for instance, lived right within this district at 172 Commonwealth Avenue. Other important business owners also built their homes nearby. Samuel Mason, who made boxes, built a fancy house at 204 Commonwealth Avenue in a style called Gothic Revival. Frank Sturdy, a jewelry maker, built his home at 234 Commonwealth Avenue in the Queen Anne Victorian style. These homes show the close connection between the factories and the people who ran them.
