Troy Cotton & Woolen Manufactory
Encyclopedia
The Troy Cotton & Woolen Manufactory was a textile manufacturing company located Fall River, Massachusetts
. Founded in 1813 by Oliver Chace
, it was the second textile mill to be built over the Quequechan River
. It was located at what is now Troy Street between Pleasant and Bedford Streets.
was known as "Troy" between 1804 and 1834). The company's first mill was built over the uppermost falls of the Quequechan River
, on the site of a former saw mill. It measured 108 feet long by thirty-seven feet wide with four stories and a low hip roof. It was constructed from field stone collected from the surrounding fields. The mill opened for business in March 1814. In 1821, the original mill was destroyed by fire. Some machinery was rescued however, and moved to a recently completed nearby building known as the "Little Mill". The main mill was rebuilt and opened in 1823.
Oliver Chace
remained agent of the mill until 1822, when he moved to the newly-formed Pocasset Manufacturing Company
. Oliver's son Harvey Chace became the agent at the Troy, and remained until 1842.
The mill was expanded in 1843 and again in 1853, when the old wooden portions were removed.
In 1860, the rebuilt 1823 mill was removed and replaced with a large addition, 296 feet long by 70 feet wide and five stories high, stretching north to Bedford Street.
By 1917, the Troy Cotton & Woolen Manufactory contained a capacity of 52,544 spindles and 1,170 looms. It produced plain cotton weaves from print cloth yarns.
The company operated until 1929. The mills were later occupied by various businesses, including garment industries.
It was demolished in the 1960s as part of urban renewal and to make way for Interstate 195
. The site now contains a parking lot that is used by the nearby post office.
Fall River, Massachusetts
Fall River is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It is located about south of Boston, southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and west of New Bedford and south of Taunton. The city's population was 88,857 during the 2010 census, making it the tenth largest city in...
. Founded in 1813 by Oliver Chace
Oliver Chace
Oliver Chace was the founder of several New England textile manufacturing companies in the early 19th century, including the Valley Falls Company, the original antecedent of Berkshire Hathaway, currently one of the largest companies in the world.-Early life:Chace was born on August 24, 1769 in...
, it was the second textile mill to be built over the Quequechan River
Quequechan River
The Quequechan River , is a river in Fall River, Massachusetts that flows in a northwesterly direction from the South Watuppa Pond to the Taunton River. The word Quequechan means "falling water" in Wampanoag, hence the city's name....
. It was located at what is now Troy Street between Pleasant and Bedford Streets.
Company history
The company, originally known as the "Troy Manufacturing Company", was incorporated in March 1813 for $50,000. (Fall RiverFall River
-Cities and towns:In Canada:*Fall River, Nova ScotiaIn the United States:*Fall River, Kansas*Fall River, Massachusetts, the largest city with this name*Fall River, Tennessee*Fall River, Wisconsin*Fall River County, South Dakota-Rivers:In Canada:...
was known as "Troy" between 1804 and 1834). The company's first mill was built over the uppermost falls of the Quequechan River
Quequechan River
The Quequechan River , is a river in Fall River, Massachusetts that flows in a northwesterly direction from the South Watuppa Pond to the Taunton River. The word Quequechan means "falling water" in Wampanoag, hence the city's name....
, on the site of a former saw mill. It measured 108 feet long by thirty-seven feet wide with four stories and a low hip roof. It was constructed from field stone collected from the surrounding fields. The mill opened for business in March 1814. In 1821, the original mill was destroyed by fire. Some machinery was rescued however, and moved to a recently completed nearby building known as the "Little Mill". The main mill was rebuilt and opened in 1823.
Oliver Chace
Oliver Chace
Oliver Chace was the founder of several New England textile manufacturing companies in the early 19th century, including the Valley Falls Company, the original antecedent of Berkshire Hathaway, currently one of the largest companies in the world.-Early life:Chace was born on August 24, 1769 in...
remained agent of the mill until 1822, when he moved to the newly-formed Pocasset Manufacturing Company
Pocasset Manufacturing Company
Pocasset Manufacturing Company was a cotton textile mill located in Fall River, Massachusetts. It was located just west of Main Street across the second falls of the Quequechan River. It was organized on August 15, 1821, with $100,000 in capital. The mill began operation in 1822, with Samuel Rodman...
. Oliver's son Harvey Chace became the agent at the Troy, and remained until 1842.
The mill was expanded in 1843 and again in 1853, when the old wooden portions were removed.
In 1860, the rebuilt 1823 mill was removed and replaced with a large addition, 296 feet long by 70 feet wide and five stories high, stretching north to Bedford Street.
By 1917, the Troy Cotton & Woolen Manufactory contained a capacity of 52,544 spindles and 1,170 looms. It produced plain cotton weaves from print cloth yarns.
The company operated until 1929. The mills were later occupied by various businesses, including garment industries.
It was demolished in the 1960s as part of urban renewal and to make way for Interstate 195
Interstate 195 (Rhode Island-Massachusetts)
Interstate 195 is an Interstate Highway running a combined 40.1 miles in the U.S. states of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. It travels from a junction with Interstate 95 in Providence, Rhode Island east to a junction with Interstate 495 and Route 25 in Wareham, Massachusetts...
. The site now contains a parking lot that is used by the nearby post office.