Mumford River facts for kids
The Mumford River is a cool river in south-central Massachusetts. It's about 18.3 miles (29.5 km) long. This river is a tributary of the Blackstone River. That means it's a smaller river that flows into a bigger one. The Mumford River played a big role in the early history of American industry.
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Where the Mumford River Flows
The Mumford River starts in Sutton and Douglas. It begins at a place called Manchaug Pond. From there, it winds its way east. The river flows through several ponds, like Manchaug, Stevens, and Whitins. It passes by towns such as Northbridge. Finally, the Mumford River joins the Blackstone River in Uxbridge.
How the River Got Its Name
The Mumford River got its name from a hunter. His name was Mumford. He lived in Mendon way back in the 1600s. Sadly, this hunter drowned in the river. This happened before the towns along the river were even formed. These towns include Douglas, Sutton, Northbridge, and Uxbridge. Mendon was one of the first places settled in this area, starting in 1660.
The River's Role in Industry
The Mumford River was super important for early American factories. It provided water power for many mills. These mills helped start the industrial age in the Blackstone Valley.
Famous Mills on the Mumford
Many important factories grew up along the Mumford River.
Whitin Machine Works
The Whitin Machine Works was a huge company. It was located in Whitinsville, right on the Mumford River. This factory used to be the biggest maker of textile machines in the world. Textile machines are used to make cloth.
Other Important Mills
- The Linwood Mill and the Crown and Eagle Mill were in North Uxbridge. They also used the Mumford River's power.
- The historic Capron Mill was in Uxbridge. It was another important factory powered by the river.
- The Winfield Shuster Mill was in East Douglas. It also relied on the Mumford River.
These mills show how important the Mumford River was. It helped power America's first big steps into manufacturing and industry.
