F. A. Whitney Carriage Company Complex Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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F. A. Whitney Carriage Company Complex Historic District
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Off 124 Water St., Leominster, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 12 acres (4.9 ha) |
| Built | 1872 |
| Architectural style | Second Empire, Romanesque |
| NRHP reference No. | 88000716 |
| Added to NRHP | June 23, 1988 |
The F. A. Whitney Carriage Company Complex Historic District is a very old industrial area in Leominster, Massachusetts. It's located off 124 Water Street. This complex is one of the best-preserved old factory sites in the city.
It was built by the F. A. Whitney Company, a very successful business. They made baby carriages and similar products. The company operated here from 1862 to 1952. It was one of the biggest employers in Leominster for many years. The oldest buildings still standing were built in 1872. This historic district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. Today, most of the complex has been changed into homes.
Contents
A Look Back: The Whitney Carriage Company
The Whitney Carriage Company started in 1858. It was founded by two cousins, Francis A. and Francis W. Whitney. Their goal was to make baby carriages that people could afford.
Early Days and Growth
The first factory was in a piano factory basement. This was on Mechanic Street. Sadly, a fire destroyed that first plant in 1862. After the fire, the company bought land near Monoosnock Creek. They built their new factory there starting in 1868.
The company grew a lot. By the early 1920s, it was very busy. They made about 200,000 baby carriages every year! Between 300 and 400 people worked there. This made the Whitney Carriage Company a huge part of Leominster's economy.
Challenges and Closing
The company faced tough times during the Great Depression. This was a period when many businesses struggled. Because of this, the company's success began to fade. The F. A. Whitney Company finally closed its doors in 1952.
Francis A. Whitney was a very active businessman. Besides the carriage company, he also started other businesses in Leominster. He made shirts, chairs, and even thread.
What the Historic District Looks Like
The historic district covers about 12 acres of land. It's located in a curve of the Monoosnock Brook. This area is about 0.25 miles (0.4 km) east of downtown Leominster. Water Street is to the south, and Whitney Street is to the east.
Buildings and Design
The complex has more than twenty buildings. Many of them are connected to each other. Most of the buildings are made of brick. However, there are also some older wooden buildings. The oldest one is the office building from 1872. It has a special style called Second Empire.
Most of these buildings were built before 1920. They look similar to the textile mills from that time. But their layout is special. It was designed to make the process of manufacturing carriages easy and efficient. Each part of the factory was set up for a different step in making the carriages.
