Saco–Pettee Machine Shops facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Saco–Pettee Machine Shops
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | 156 Oak St., Newton, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1893 |
| Architect | Lockwood, Greene & Co. |
| Architectural style | Industrial |
| MPS | Newton MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 86001964 |
| Added to NRHP | December 23, 1986 |
The Saco–Pettee Machine Shops is a very old factory in Newton Upper Falls in Newton, Massachusetts. It's a group of about thirteen brick buildings. The oldest parts of this complex were built in 1892. This factory was very important for the growth of Newton Upper Falls. It was even the North American home for Clark's Shoes until 2016. This historic place was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.
Contents
What is the Saco–Pettee Machine Shops?
The Saco–Pettee Machine Shops are located in Newton, Massachusetts. They are at the corner of Oak and Needham Streets. The complex is a cluster of brick buildings. They are connected to each other. Most of these buildings were built around the year 1900. They are one to three stories tall. All the buildings are made of red brick. Most were designed by a company called Lockwood, Green & Co. from Boston. This made them all look similar. This area has been used for factories since the 1830s. However, no buildings from that early time are still standing.
How the Factory Started
Otis Pettee began making machines in 1823. These machines helped process cotton. At first, he made them for a mill located nearby. In 1830, he opened his own shop on this very site. He started a successful business making textile equipment. His machines were sold to mills from New England all the way to Mexico.
Growing the Business
Otis Pettee's business was continued by his children and grandchildren. It became known as the Pettee Machine Shop in 1880. The oldest building still standing today was built in 1893. Around this time, the company started making special punched cards. These cards were used to control weaving machines called looms.
In 1897, the Pettee company joined with the Saco Water Power Shop. This merger helped them make even more types of mill equipment. They made almost everything a mill needed, except for the looms themselves.
Expansion and Closure
The factory grew a lot between 1910 and 1913. A big event was when the company bought Lowell Machine Shops in 1912. However, business started to slow down in the 1920s. The company closed its Newton factory in 1932. All their operations were moved to Saco, Maine.
