Fall River Iron Works American Printing Company (Fall River Iron Works)

metacomet mill, built 1847

the development of textile industry in fall river grew out of developments made in nearby rhode island beginning samuel slater @ pawtucket in 1793. first textile mill in fall river built in 1811. several more follow between 1813 , 1821, along falling quequechan river city named.

in 1821, col. richard borden established fall river iron works, along maj. bradford durfee @ lower part of quequechan river. bradford durfee shipwright, , richard borden owner of grist mill. after uncertain start, in investors pulled out, fall river iron works incorporated in 1825, $200,000 in capital. iron works began producing nails, bar stock, , other items such bands casks in nearby new bedford whaling industry. gained reputation producing nails of high quality, , business flourished.

by 1833 fall river had 13 cotton mills, employing 1,200 people, 31,000 total spindles (a common measure of total spinning capacity) , 1,050 looms. iron works continue play important role in development of textile industry in fall river.

by 1840, iron works employed 250 people , produced on 3.8 million pounds of nails, 950 tons of iron hoops , 400 tons of castings. 1845, company valued @ $960,000. in 1827, col. borden began regular steamship service providence, rhode island.

f.r. iron works providence, r.i.

always looking diversify holdings, richard borden constructed metacomet mill in 1847, today oldest remaining textile mill in city, located on anawan street. iron works established fall river gas company in 1847, , manufactured gas coal.

in 1848, fall river iron works constructed office , warehouse building along waterfront in providence, rhode island , retained location until 1881. building still standing, , occupied rhode island school of design. providence site info

by 1876, iron works occupied 2 sites, consisting of rolling mill, nail mill , foundry. had average annual production of 7,000 tons.