Royal Mill Complex facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Royal Mill Complex
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Royal Mills Apartments
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| Location | West Warwick, Rhode Island |
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| Area | 14 acres (5.7 ha) |
| Built | 1890, rebuilt 1920 |
| Architect | Thompson, David |
| Architectural style | Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals |
| NRHP reference No. | 04000377 |
| Added to NRHP | April 29, 2004 |
The Royal Mill Complex is a historic group of buildings in West Warwick, Rhode Island. It used to be a big factory where cloth was made. Today, it's a very important historical site, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
This amazing complex has been completely updated. It now has 250 modern apartments where people live! Another part of the complex, called the Ace Dye Works mill, has also been turned into cool loft apartments. A special bridge connects these two buildings, making it easy to go between them.
Contents
The Mill's Early History
The Royal Mill Complex is located right next to the South Branch of the Pawtuxet River. This area, called River Point, has been used for factories for a very long time.
The first factory here was built in 1809 by the Greene Manufacturing Company. They built a wooden building and later two stone mills.
The Knight Company Takes Over
In 1885, a huge textile company called B.B.& R. Knight Co. bought the site. This company was one of the biggest cloth makers in Rhode Island. They were famous for their "Fruit of the Loom" brand!
In 1890, the Knight Company tore down the old mills. They then built the Royal Mill using strong local granite. This new mill became one of the largest factories in their huge business, which had 22 mills across the region.
Fires, Strikes, and Changes
Sadly, in 1919, the Royal Mill was destroyed by a fire. But it was quickly rebuilt just a year later, in 1920. The rebuilt mill had two tall stone towers, just like you see today.
In 1921, something big happened at the Royal Mill. Textile workers went on a huge strike that lasted 33 weeks! This strike, along with new competition from factories in the Southern United States, caused many mills in New England to close down in the 1920s.
The Royal Mill managed to keep going until 1935. But then, the once-powerful B.B.& R. Knight Co. went out of business.
New Uses for the Mill
After 1935, the mill was used by different companies. From 1936 to 1946, Saybrooke Manufacturing Co. made wool cloth there. Then, until 2004, many smaller companies used parts of the mill.
By 1993, the mill was empty and taken over by the town of West Warwick. People even thought about tearing it down!
The Mill's New Life Today
In 2004, a company called Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse bought the Royal Mill. They started a complete renovation project to bring the old mill back to life. They even fixed the stone dam next to the mill, which now helps make clean energy using the river's power!
Today, the Royal Mill has 250 beautiful apartments. It's now a central part of a renewed riverfront area. There's even a public walking path along the river, which is great for everyone to enjoy!
