Ballardvale, Massachusetts
Encyclopedia
Ballardvale is a village located within the boundaries of the town of Andover
, Essex County
, Massachusetts
, United States
. Growing originally in the 19th century around mills located on the Shawsheen River
, the village is a local historic district, boasting many varieties of historic architecture and a rich industrial heritage.
In the 18th century, the Shawsheen River
and its water power attracted the Ballard Family, who came and built grist and saw mills. At this time the area became known as Ballard's Vale, eventually Ballardvale.
In 1836 John and William Marland established the Ballardvale Manufacturing Company. The company produced the first wool worsted made in America, as well as the first wool flannel. Additional mills were built and shoes, carriages, locomotives, and stoneware pottery were also made in Ballard Vale. However, it was white flannels that made the village famous: Ballard Vale white flannels won prizes at the Columbian and Louisiana Purchase expositions.
By 1848, two mills, the Ballardvale Manufacturing Company and Whipple File Company, a factory-owned store, a schoolhouse, a railroad depot and houses were nestled in the Vale. Streets were laid out and previously undeveloped land was subdivided into house lots and many residences were built.
The village continued to revolve around manufacturing for many years, until the mid-20th century when most manufacturing, especially fabric mills, moved out of New England
.
By the start of the 20th century, Ballardvale had become a center for river outings. Couples paddled canoes along the Shawsheen or took a rides on the motor yacht William Ballard. The river remains popular with canoeists. A prominent access point is adjacent to the dam.
Today the Shawsheen River Reservation, owned and operated by the Andover Village Improvement Society
(A.V.I.S.), runs along the river from the village towards central Andover. The reservation is designed both to preserve natural resources and to provide space for passive reservation, such as walking.The Shawsheen River is home to many animals like geese,swans, and many kinds of fish.
. Historic homes include both those originally occupied by mill workers as well as mill owners. Ballardvale is a locally recognized Historic District, with specialized zoning regulating changes made to properties in the area.
(MBTA). Pan Am Railways freight trains also run regularly through the village. There is a gated railroad crossing at the intersection of Andover and Tewksbury Streets.
A U.S. Post Office, fire station, and retail shops are all located along Andover Street.
The village is home to two churches. The historic St. Joseph's on High Vale Street, built in 1881, is a "mission church" of St. Augustine’s in downtown Andover, and remains open for Sunday Mass. Ballardvale United, on Clark Road, was formed in 1955 after the union of two smaller churches, the Union Congregational Church and Methodist Episcopal Church.
The Ballardvale Green is a small park located at the intersection of Andover Street and Center Street. Across the way is a large playground, where generations of children have played. The site was for many years occupied by a large public boarding house.
Located around the corner on Clark Road, the Burns Reservation, owned and operated by the Andover Village Improvement Society
(A.V.I.S.) is 5 acres (20,234.3 m²) tract of undeveloped woods and wetland.
The Union Congregational Church still stands, though it has been altered by multiple fires. In the '70s it was used as a paint/hardware store. After another fire it was rebuilt as a residence.
Andover, Massachusetts
Andover is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. It was incorporated in 1646 and as of the 2010 census, the population was 33,201...
, Essex County
Essex County, Massachusetts
-National protected areas:* Parker River National Wildlife Refuge* Salem Maritime National Historic Site* Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site* Thacher Island National Wildlife Refuge-Demographics:...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Growing originally in the 19th century around mills located on the Shawsheen River
Shawsheen River
The Shawsheen River is a tributary of the Merrimack River in northeast Massachusetts. The name has had various spellings. According to Bailey's history of Andover, the spelling Shawshin was the most common in the old records, although Shawshine, Shashin, Shashine, Shashene, Shawshene, and later,...
, the village is a local historic district, boasting many varieties of historic architecture and a rich industrial heritage.
History
Shawsheen River
The Shawsheen River is a tributary of the Merrimack River in northeast Massachusetts. The name has had various spellings. According to Bailey's history of Andover, the spelling Shawshin was the most common in the old records, although Shawshine, Shashin, Shashine, Shashene, Shawshene, and later,...
and its water power attracted the Ballard Family, who came and built grist and saw mills. At this time the area became known as Ballard's Vale, eventually Ballardvale.
In 1836 John and William Marland established the Ballardvale Manufacturing Company. The company produced the first wool worsted made in America, as well as the first wool flannel. Additional mills were built and shoes, carriages, locomotives, and stoneware pottery were also made in Ballard Vale. However, it was white flannels that made the village famous: Ballard Vale white flannels won prizes at the Columbian and Louisiana Purchase expositions.
By 1848, two mills, the Ballardvale Manufacturing Company and Whipple File Company, a factory-owned store, a schoolhouse, a railroad depot and houses were nestled in the Vale. Streets were laid out and previously undeveloped land was subdivided into house lots and many residences were built.
The village continued to revolve around manufacturing for many years, until the mid-20th century when most manufacturing, especially fabric mills, moved out of New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
.
Shawsheen River
The Shawsheen River has always played an important role in Ballardvale, powering its earliest mills. The Ballardvale Millpond and dam on Andover Street are focal points of the area.By the start of the 20th century, Ballardvale had become a center for river outings. Couples paddled canoes along the Shawsheen or took a rides on the motor yacht William Ballard. The river remains popular with canoeists. A prominent access point is adjacent to the dam.
Today the Shawsheen River Reservation, owned and operated by the Andover Village Improvement Society
Andover Village Improvement Society
The Andover Village Improvement Society is a land preservation society in Andover, Massachusetts. Founded in 1894, AVIS is the second oldest land preservation society in the USA...
(A.V.I.S.), runs along the river from the village towards central Andover. The reservation is designed both to preserve natural resources and to provide space for passive reservation, such as walking.The Shawsheen River is home to many animals like geese,swans, and many kinds of fish.
Historic architecture
Ballardvale is home to many fine examples of 19th century architecture. Styles represented include Greek Revival, Gothic Revival, Italianate, and Queen Anne style VictorianVictorian architecture
The term Victorian architecture refers collectively to several architectural styles employed predominantly during the middle and late 19th century. The period that it indicates may slightly overlap the actual reign, 20 June 1837 – 22 January 1901, of Queen Victoria. This represents the British and...
. Historic homes include both those originally occupied by mill workers as well as mill owners. Ballardvale is a locally recognized Historic District, with specialized zoning regulating changes made to properties in the area.
Transportation
The railroad has always been important to Ballardvale, with a rail line running north-south through the village. Local as well as distance trains ran through the village starting on July 3, 1848. According to Boston & Maine railroad reports, a 'large and commodious station house' was built. In 1881, 56' of the original 135' of the station was turned 90 degrees and moved to 174 Andover St where it still exists. This portion of the station remained the property of B&M railroad until 1925. The other 78' was torn down around 1950. Today "Ballardvale" is a stop on the Haverhill line of the commuter rail operated by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation AuthorityMassachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, often referred to as the MBTA or simply The T, is the public operator of most bus, subway, commuter rail and ferry systems in the greater Boston, Massachusetts, area. Officially a "body politic and corporate, and a political subdivision" of the...
(MBTA). Pan Am Railways freight trains also run regularly through the village. There is a gated railroad crossing at the intersection of Andover and Tewksbury Streets.
Other village features
Despite being located within the larger town of Andover, Ballardvale is still a functioning village, with its own local resources.A U.S. Post Office, fire station, and retail shops are all located along Andover Street.
The village is home to two churches. The historic St. Joseph's on High Vale Street, built in 1881, is a "mission church" of St. Augustine’s in downtown Andover, and remains open for Sunday Mass. Ballardvale United, on Clark Road, was formed in 1955 after the union of two smaller churches, the Union Congregational Church and Methodist Episcopal Church.
The Ballardvale Green is a small park located at the intersection of Andover Street and Center Street. Across the way is a large playground, where generations of children have played. The site was for many years occupied by a large public boarding house.
Located around the corner on Clark Road, the Burns Reservation, owned and operated by the Andover Village Improvement Society
Andover Village Improvement Society
The Andover Village Improvement Society is a land preservation society in Andover, Massachusetts. Founded in 1894, AVIS is the second oldest land preservation society in the USA...
(A.V.I.S.) is 5 acres (20,234.3 m²) tract of undeveloped woods and wetland.
The Union Congregational Church still stands, though it has been altered by multiple fires. In the '70s it was used as a paint/hardware store. After another fire it was rebuilt as a residence.