Nashua Manufacturing Company Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Nashua Manufacturing Company Historic District
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Nashua Millyard with Truss bridge to North cotton storehouse (right)
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 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
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| Location | Located along the Nashua River, bordered by Mine Falls Park, Factory, Pine and Main streets, Nashua, New Hampshire |
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| Area | 61 acres |
| Architect | Asher Benjamin |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian, Italianate, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 87001460 |
| Added to NRHP | September 11, 1987 |
The Nashua Manufacturing Company Historic District is a special area in Nashua, New Hampshire. It's a "historic district," which means it's a place with important old buildings. These buildings tell a story about the past. This district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. This register lists places that are important to American history.
The district is found just west of downtown Nashua. It's along the southern side of the Nashua River. On one side is Mine Falls Park. On the other sides are streets like Factory, Pine, and Water streets, all the way to the Main Street bridge.
Today, you can see a tall clock tower at "Clock Tower Place" apartments. There's also a big smokestack from the "Millyard" Picker building. This whole area used to belong to the Nashua Manufacturing Company. This company started in 1823 as a cotton mill. They made cotton products. Another company, the Jackson Manufacturing Company, started nearby in 1824.
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The Nashua River Power Canal
A very important part of this historic district is the Nashua River Canal. This canal is also called the "Upper" or "Power canal". It is about 3 miles long, 6 feet deep, and 60 feet wide. Workers dug this huge canal, and it was ready to use by 1830.
The canal was super important for the Nashua Manufacturing Company. It used the river's water to power the mills. This helped the company make a lot of money and grow. The 1886 Mine Falls Gatehouse is also part of this canal system.
Why This Area Is Important
In 1835, Nashua was one of the biggest cities in New Hampshire. The Nashua Manufacturing Company was doing very well. They even opened their own bank, called the Nashua Bank.
A new railroad line came to Nashua from Lowell, Massachusetts, in 1838. This helped the local economy even more. A new company, the Nashua Iron Company, opened. They made parts for the new trains. The Nashua Manufacturing Company needed many workers for its mills. So, they built 48 houses and two churches for their employees. This shows how big and important the company was.
Important Buildings in the District
Many buildings in the Nashua Manufacturing Company Historic District are very old and special. They show how the company grew over time. Here are some of the main ones:
- Mill #1 (built 1856-1857): This mill was rebuilt after an older one burned down.
- Mill #3 (built 1835-1836): This is the oldest building still standing in the district.
- Picker building (built 1866-1881): This building was used for processing cotton.
- Cotton house (built 1845-1898): This was where cotton was stored.
- Boiler house (with "Millyard tower") (built 1898): This building helped power the mills.
- Power canal (built 1824-1872): The canal that powered the mills.
- Mine Falls Gatehouse (built 1886): A key part of the canal system.
- Mill #7 (built 1904-1913): This mill is now part of Clock Tower Place.
- Through-Warren Truss bridge (around 1902): A bridge that connected parts of the complex.
- Iron fence (around 1905): An old fence that adds to the historic look.
Images for kids
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Mill #2, Mill #3, Mill #4, and Iron fence
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Nashua Millyard with Picker building.JPG
Picker building and Cotton house
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Nashua Manufacturing Company Historical District power canal and towpath 01.JPG
Power canal
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Nashua Manufacturing Company Historical District Mill no.7.JPG
Mill #7
