Monument Mills facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Monument Mills
|
|
Cotton Mill #1
|
|
 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Park and Front Sts., Great Barrington, Massachusetts |
|---|---|
| Area | 13.25 acres (5.36 ha) |
| Built | 1851, 1892 |
| Architect | C. R. Makepeace & Company |
| NRHP reference No. | 83003927 |
| Added to NRHP | November 29, 1983 |
The Monument Mills are a group of historic factory buildings located in the small village of Housatonic, which is part of Great Barrington, Massachusetts. These mills were once a very important place where special fabrics were made. They started operating in the mid-1800s and continued until 1955.
Today, these old mill buildings are recognized as an important part of history. They were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. Some parts of the mills are now used by artists and small businesses.
Contents
Monument Mills: A Look Inside a Historic Factory
The Monument Mills are a big part of the Housatonic village. They are built along both sides of the Housatonic River. This river was very important because it provided the power for the mills to run in the beginning.
The mill buildings are split into two main parts. Mill number one is on the west side of the river, close to the railroad tracks. Mill number two is on the east side of the river, just north of the Park Street bridge.
What Were the Monument Mills?
The Monument Mills Company ran a fabric-making business in these buildings for over 100 years, from 1850 to 1955. The first mill started by making cotton fabrics. In 1866, a second mill opened nearby, but it was owned by a different company.
This second mill was special because it made "jacquard fabrics." These are fabrics with fancy, woven patterns, often used for things like bedspreads. The jacquard fabrics were very popular!
How the Mills Grew and Changed
Because the second mill was so successful with its patterned fabrics, the first company decided to buy it. After that, they expanded their production, making even more of these special jacquard fabrics. The mills became a major producer of these fabrics in America.
However, over time, people's tastes in textiles changed. There was less demand for the fabrics the mills made. This led to less business, and eventually, the mills closed down in 1955. After they closed, the buildings were empty and not taken care of for a while.
Powering the Mills: The Glendale Power House
The Monument Mills Company also played a role in building another important structure. They were responsible for the Glendale Power House, which is located further up the Housatonic River in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.
This power house was one of the very first places to use water power (hydroelectric power) to create electricity for industrial work. It was a big step forward in how factories got their power. The Glendale Power House is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places, just like the mills themselves.
