Historic Mills and Factories
This tour focuses on the historic mills and factories that helped propel North Adams to economic success during the industrial revolution. Many of these mills and factories closed several decades ago but many of the remaining buildings have been repurposed to play important roles in the continued revitalization of North Adams.
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Beaver Mill
Once the site of a beaver dam, this mill’s owners included Arnold Print Works and Sprague Electric; now it houses a range of studio spaces.
Eclipse Mill
One of the earliest major mills in North Adams, the Eclipse Mill played roles for Rayon, Sprague Electric and others before transformation into the studios and lofts it holds today.
Windsor Print Works
Housed in one of North Adams’ oldest and most architecturally impressive mills, hundreds of workers worked to dye, bleach, and print a variety of textiles as part of North Adams’ cotton manufacturing industry in the nineteenth century.
Barber Leather Company
High quality materials and craftsmanship distinguished this factory in the Willow Dell neighborhood.
Clark Biscuit Company
Delicious crackers and cookies once streamed out of the Clark factories on Ashland Street, carried across the northeast via the adjacent rail line.
Hunter Machine Company
Where North Adams City Hall stands today, James Hunter built a company that produced machinery and industrial parts for companies around the world.
Arnold Print Works
Situated between the north and south branches of the Hoosic River, this complex formed North Adams’ largest mill in the late nineteenth century, a successful cotton operation before a decline in business led to purchase by Sprague Electric.
Sampson Shoe Factory
Calvin Sampson brought North Adams national attention in 1870 when he brought Chinese immigrants across the country to staff his shoe factory as part of a battle with his workers.
Weber Brothers Shoe Company
Created by five brothers at the turn of the twentieth century, the North Adams Shoe Company shipped direct to retailers in every major city across the United States.
Norad Mill
Originally part of the woolen trade, the North Adams Mill later housed Excelsior Printing and today is a thriving hub of retail and commercial businesses.
Greylock Mill
This mill formed part of the region’s strength in cotton manufacturing and was the site of workers’ strikes during the Great Depression.Tour curated by: Historic North Adams Team