Granite Mills

Infobox_nrhp | name =Granite Mills
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location= Fall River, Massachusetts
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locmapin = Massachusetts
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built =1871 & 1893
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architecture= Italianate
added = February 16, 1983
governing_body = Private
mpsub=Fall River MRA
refnum=83004610 [ [http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/MA/Bristol/state4.html National Register of Historic Places] ]

Granite Mills are two historic textile mills located on Bedford Street in Fall River, Massachusetts, consisting of Granite Mill No. 2 and Granite Mill No. 3.

The Granite mills were organized in 1863 with William Mason as president and Charles O. Shove as treasurer. The original Mill No. 1 was built 1864, but burned in 1874. At least thirty workers were killed in the disaster, and many more were injured. [ [http://homepage.mac.com/joepowers/mill/index.html The Cotton Mills of Fall River] ] The tragic fire would lead to reforms in the design of future mill buildings, requiring multiple exits and fire escapes. Mill No. 1 was soon rebuilt, but was later demolished in the mid-20th century. It stood on the site of the former China Royal restaurant in Fall River.

Mill No. 2 was constructed in 1871 from native Fall River granite in the Italianate style. In 1893, Mill No. 3 was built, also in granite, but with less ornamentation. Water for the steam-powered mills was drawn through a canal from the Quequechan River.

The company also built nearly one hundred triple decker tenement houses nearby for the accommodation of its workers. [ [http://www.sailsinc.org/durfee/earl5.pdf Earle, 1877, pg. 124] ]

In 1932 the Granite Mills were acquired by the Pepperell Manufacturing Company [ [http://www.sailsinc.org/durfee/phillips2-14.pdf Phillips History of Fall River] ] , and continued to operate through World War II.

The site was added to the National Historic Register in 1983.

Mill No. 2 was the site of Anderson-Little for many years, a maker of men's suits. The building is now occupied by various businesses.Mill No. 3 was for many years occupied by Globe Manufacturing, which manufactured rubber-based goods.

ee also

*List of Registered Historic Places in Fall River, Massachusetts
*List of mills in Fall River, Massachusetts

References