O'Bannon Mill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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O'Bannon Mill
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 Location in Rhode Island
Location in the United States
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| Location | Barrington, Rhode Island |
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| Area | 2.77 acres (1.12 ha) |
| Built | 1905 |
| NRHP reference No. | 96000891 |
| Added to NRHP | July 23, 1996 |
The O'Bannon Mill is a historic building in Barrington, Rhode Island. You can find it at 90 Bay Spring Avenue. This mill was once a very important place. It was one of the first factories to make artificial leather on a large scale. This special leather was made using a material called pyroxylin.
The O'Bannon Mill Story
The O'Bannon Mill has a long and interesting history. It played a big part in making new materials.
Early Days of the Mill
The story of the mill began in 1905. A man named George B. Frost started a company called the Frost Finishing Company. He built the first part of what is now the O'Bannon Mill.
Later, Mr. O'Bannon, who was the company's treasurer, bought Mr. Frost's shares. This made the mill even bigger. It soon became the largest factory in the world making imitation leather. The O'Bannon company grew a lot. It bought other mills in Rhode Island and New Jersey.
New Owners and Changes
After some time, Mr. O'Bannon faced challenges in managing the company. The company eventually went out of business in 1926.
Over the years, different companies owned the mill. These included Cranston Worsted Mills, Collins & Aikman, and even American Tourister. They owned the building until the 1970s.
In the early 1990s, the mill building changed again. It was turned into apartments for older adults. These apartments are known as the "Barrington Cove Apartments."
A Historic Landmark
Because of its important history, the O'Bannon Mill was recognized as a special place. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. This means it is a building that is important to the history of the United States.
