Dorchester-Milton Lower Mills Industrial District facts for kids
|
Dorchester-Milton Lower Mills Industrial District
|
|
Neponset River at Lower Mills
|
|
 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Boston, Massachusetts |
|---|---|
| Area | 5 acres (2.0 ha) |
| Built | 1868 |
| Architect | Bradlee, Winslow & Wetherell; et al. |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival, Other, Romanesque |
| NRHP reference No. | 80000675 (original) 01000304 (increase) |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | April 2, 1980 |
| Boundary increase | April 6, 2001 |
The Dorchester-Milton Lower Mills Industrial District is a special area with many old factory buildings. It is located on both sides of the Neponset River. This river separates the Dorchester part of Boston from the town of Milton, Massachusetts.
This historic district is famous because it was home to the Walter Baker & Company. This company was the very first big maker of chocolate products in the United States. The factory buildings in this area were built between 1868 and 1947. Today, these buildings are used for different things, like shops, homes, and some industrial businesses. The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 and made a bit larger in 2001.
Contents
What is the Lower Mills Industrial District Like?
Lower Mills Village sits right on the Neponset River. This river forms the border between Boston and Milton. Adams Street crosses the river and goes through the middle of the district.
The district includes sixteen factory buildings. Almost all of them were part of the Walter Baker & Company. Most of these buildings are made of brick. They have many additions and extra sections built onto them. The buildings show different styles because they were built over a long time, from 1868 to 1947. You can see styles like Second Empire, Queen Anne, Romanesque Revival, and more modern, practical designs.
History of the Lower Mills Area
Who Lived Here First?
Long ago, Native Americans lived near this area. Some of the last pieces of land owned by the Massachusett tribe were close by. These lands are now near the Ventura Street Playground and Dorchester Park.
Early Settlers and Mills
In the early 1630s, a settler named Israel Stoughton bought land here. He wanted to build a grist mill to grind corn. This mill was built close to where the chocolate factory buildings would later stand. In 1637, another early settler, John Whipple, settled nearby.
The Start of Chocolate Making
Chocolate making in this area began in the mid-1700s. Dr. James Baker and John Hannan started their chocolate business in 1765. Their company became very well-known across the country. This happened in the early 1800s under Walter Baker, who was James Baker's grandson.
Growing the Chocolate Factory
Many of the buildings you see today were built starting in 1868. This construction happened under the leadership of Henry Pierce. Later, H. Clifford Gallagher continued the work. In 1926, a big company called General Foods bought Walter Baker & Company. They kept making chocolate under the Baker name in these factories. However, in 1965, they moved all their chocolate making to a plant in upstate New York.
