List of mills in Holyoke, Massachusetts

When it was first established under the guise of the Hadley Falls Company, the city of Holyoke, Massachusetts was conceived as a production center for textiles. Despite protests of the company during the formation of the Parsons Paper Company, that a pulp and paper venture was a poor use of space and unprofitable, by 1885 the city was the largest producer of paper goods in the United States.[1] Before 1920 the city was the home to numerous paper mills, producing 80% of the writing paper used in the United States, as well as having the largest silk, and alpaca wool mills in the world.[2][3] The city was also home to the largest paper millwright firm in the United States, D. H. & A. B. Tower, which would design at least 25 such mills in Holyoke alone.[4] While many were lost to fire, redevelopment, and salvaging, today a number of mills have been redeveloped. Despite determinations of eligibility by the Massachusetts Historical Commission as part of the Holyoke Canal System,[5] as of 2023, no mill properties in the city had been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[6]

Mills lining the canals in the early 20th century

Extant
Name Image Built Location NRHP Listing Notes/Use
1American Pad and Paper88 Winter StreetFirst standalone factory of Ampad.
2Beebe & Holbrook Millsc. 1871[7]380 Dwight StreetDesigned by Ashley B. Tower. Partially razed by fire, power turbine house still operates for Holyoke Gas & Electric. Most recently occupied by The Canal Gallery.
3Berkshire Fine Spinning Associates Mill No. 4192363 Jackson StreetInitially constructed as a cotton warp processing mill for Farr Alpaca, designed by Samuel M. Green Co. Bought by Berkshire Fine Spinning Associates in 1939, subsequently Berkshire Hathaway, and later used by American Pad and Paper in 1980s.[8]
4Buchanan & Bolt Building/Holyoke Wire Worksc. 190160 Appleton StreetWire drawing and weaving factory, later used by Sinclair Co. Wire Cloth, today occupied by Russell-Zuhl Petrified Wood.
5Chemical Paper Manufacturing Company1880210–240 South Water StreetProduced fine writing paper, funded by Newton Brothers, design by D. H. & A. B. Tower. Present-day manufacturing plant of Hazen Paper Company.
6Clinton Silk Millc. 186558 North Canal StreetPart of the American Thread Company,[9] later used by Clinton Silk Mills after 1933, produced silk goods for the Allies during World War II, looms sold to Bedford Weaving in Virginia. Building used by Hadley Printing since 1976.[10]
7Crocker-McElwain Paper No. 1c. 1885[11]102 Cabot StreetOriginally the Holyoke Water Power Company Building, constructed for start-up companies, massive fire in 1890, towers since-removed. Produced fine writing paper, became part of American Writing Paper Company system. Was also music plant of Thaddeus Cahill's telharmonium.[12] Part of present-day manufacturing plant of FLN-Mar Rubber & Plastics.
8D. MacKintosh & Sons/The Wherehouse109 Lyman StreetOriginally a cotton mill, it was later used as a factory by Jim Prentice and The Electric Game Company.[13] Today used by The Wherehouse and partially extant section for shops/storage.
9Eureka Blank Book1890, 1910108–110 Winter Street110 Winter Street built in 1890, expanded into 108 Winter in 1910. Used by a builder, now known as Eureka Lab Book, until 2017; presently owned by a holding company.[14][15]
10Farr Alpaca Company Building #7c. 1915[16]101 Cabot StreetConverted to condominiums, circa 1988.
11Farr Alpaca Company Building #8c. 1915[17]108 Cabot StreetContains Winter Palace Theatre and Ballroom; top floor occupied by the presently-defunct Paper City Brewery.
12Franklin Paper Millc. 1867[18]150 Middle Water StreetOriginally a Newton Bros. development, now home to United Paper Box (Uni-Pac).
13General Electric Buildingc. 193060 Jackson StreetInitially developed by Farr Alpaca as a mill and offices (unknown building number), and retail shop. Acquired by General Electric as wire production line after 1939 liquidation, Northeast Wire by 1966, presently used by G & G Restaurant Equipment.[19]
14George R. Dickinson Company188281 Sargeant StreetDesign by D. H. & A. B. Tower. Part of present-day manufacturing plant of FLN-Mar Rubber & Plastics.
15Goetz Silk Mill1911, 1919642 South Summer StreetBuilt by Casper Ranger Construction Co., announced in 1909, delays from carpenters strike; expansion engineered by Charles T. Main. Original building adjacent to Jackson Street, expansion adjacent to South Summer. Today used by Valley Green, Inc., a seed company.[20]
16Hadley Thread Company Mills1863[21]56 Canal StreetPart of the American Thread Company, later used by Graham Manufacturing, Conklin Office Furniture; purchased in June 2019 by Trulieve Cannabis Corporation.[22]
17Hampden Glazed Paper and Card Company1882100 Water StreetDesign by D. H. & A. B. Tower, was last Holyoke mill still in use by the founding business, the Hampden Paper Company, until September 2020.
18Japanese Tissue Mills/Perkins Millc. 1899[23]12 Crescent Street[9]Founded by the B. F. Perkins Company in 1899 as Japanese Tissue Mills.[24] Later known as the American Tissue Mills after 1920; company defunct about 1953 at which time mill was paper converting plant, now used as warehouse.[25]
19Judd Paper Company192392 Race StreetDesigned by George P. B. Alderman, originally home of paper converter. Redeveloped in 2012 as entertainment venue, restaurant, and coworkshop, Gateway City Arts.
20Livingston Worsted Mills193411 Berkshire StreetBuilt for consolidation of Germania Mills' worsted wool division move from Rhode Island. Germania name was dropped around time of building's construction as spinning division was liquidated.[26] Following closure of Livingston, briefly used by Kruger Tissue Paper following Livingston's closure, 1964-1966.[27] Today known as the SulCo Warehouse Building.
21Lyman Millsc. 1854[28]4 Open Square WayOriginally processing cotton for textiles, it is the only mill in the city built to the original plans of the Hadley Falls Company[29] Now known as Open Square.
22Massasoit Paper Mill1873[30]380R Dwight StreetAlso known as Massasoit Division of American Writing Paper Company. Westerly wings razed after 1957; restored in 2019 for retail use by Canna Provisions.[31]
23Merrick Thread Mill, No. 2195 Appleton StreetPartial mill and office; half of complex burned down in October 1993.
24Newton Paper Company Mill200 South Water StreetNewton Bros. development; partially extant, heavily altered as Sonoco paper recycling plant
25Norman Paper Company Mill18925-13 Appleton StreetProduced fine writing paper, design by D. H. & A. B. Tower
26Prentiss Wire Mill/Holyoke Die Cut Card Buildingc. 1911, 1917439 Dwight StreetOriginally built by the George W. Prentiss Wire Company with back 4-story section appearing on maps in 1911;[9] 5-story front built in 1917.[32] Prentiss built new facility in Homestead Avenue in 1962,[33] by 1965 was occupied by Holyoke Die Cut Card Co. which owned the building until 2001.[34][35]
27RenCo Building1920728 Main StreetBuilt about 1920 by the New England Tire & Rubber Company,[36] and bought out by Reynolds Manufacturing Co. (RenCo.) in 1928, a converter and producer of notebooks and steno pads.[37][38] Sold by RenCo in 1994 and subdivided, acquired by Holyoke Public Schools for supplies and office use in 2007.
28Riverside Mill No. 21867[39]1 Cabot StreetOriginally independent paper firm. Merged into American Writing Paper Company system, eventual home of National Blank Book. Presently used by Specialty Loose Leaf.
29Valley Mill4 Valley Mill RoadProduced fine writing paper as the Valley Paper Company, presently used as offices of Western Mass Elder Care
30The Wauregan1879[40]420 Dwight StreetNewton Bros. development, subsequently part of American Writing Paper Company system; presently used by Holyoke Creative Arts Center, and as workshops.
31Whiting Paper No. 128 Gatehouse RoadPartially extant, part of series of 3 original mills used by Whiting Paper. Now owned by James Curran and the Wherehouse.

Demolished
Name Image Built Destroyed Location NRHP Listing Notes/Use
1Albion Paper Mill1869201816 Water StreetOne of the earliest known designs of David H. Tower.
2Baker-Vawter Company18852005686 Main StreetBuilt as the eastern manufacturing branch of the Baker-Vawter Company, a loose-leaf binding and systems company, later used by Pratt & Austin and numerous other businesses.[41]
3Deane Steam Works201937 Appleton StreetLater became the Holyoke works of the Worthington Corporation.
4Farr Alpaca Company Building #2c. 1894After 195568 Jackson StreetNow Sullivan Metals Co. Inc. offices.
5Farr Alpaca Company Main Buildingc. 1905Before 2007Bigelow StreetLater used by Pioneer Valley Finishing; part of larger complex, not to be confused with building razed in 2011 for MGHPCC.[42]
6Germania Woolen Mills18631934Race and South StreetsOperated under a different name for first two years, name dropped in 1934 as spinning and combing division was liquidated,[26] weaving and finishing continued at Livingston Worsted Mills until business closed altogether in 1965.[43]
7Holyoke Envelope Companyc. 1889After 1957Water Street and Main StreetAfter 1898 referred to as the United States Envelope Company, Holyoke Division. Later home of Polep Brothers.
8Keating Wheel Companyc. 1895[44]After 195730 Dwight StreetLater used by Eureka Blank Book.[45] Foundation visible immediately north of Edaron Shipping dock on Canal Street, used as parking.
9Linden Mill1892c. 1979[46]55 Jackson StreetSubsequently part of the American Writing Paper Company. In production under the Brown Company as late as 1968.[47]
10National Blank Book/J. G. Shaw Building1898[48]After 1978Water Street and Canal StreetWas located in lot immediately between railroad tracks, Hampden Paper loading docks, and Water Street.
11New York Woolen Mill
(Connor Bros.)		1864[49]Before 1957649 Main StreetSold to A.T. Stewart & Co. of New York in 1870, and then Connor Brothers before 1883, which operated until a 1901 bankruptcy.[50] Holyoke Plush Company operated out of there by 1911.
12Old Smith Cotton Millc. 1820Before 1884Gatehouse and Hadley Mill RoadInitially a wool fulling mill built by Chapin family, converted to cotton mill by Edward Smith.[51] Replaced by expansion of Parsons No. 1.[52]: 55 
13Parsons Paper No. 1c. 1852After 1957Gatehouse and Hadley Mill RoadOriginally a flour mill, converted to paper in 1853, expanded several times. Later became part of American Writing Paper Company system.[53]
14Parsons Paper No. 21888200880 Sargeant StreetLast paper producer in Holyoke, active until 2005, razed by arson in 2008[54]
15Riverside Mill No. 1c. 1867Before 1957120 Middle Water StreetReplaced by warehouse and parking lot.[9]
16Syms & Dudley Mill1881[55]c. 201122–24 Water StreetLater expanded to have two towers, bought out by Nonotuck Paper Company which had its original mill immediately adjacent; designed by Ashley B. Tower.
17Whiting Paper No. 21873[39]1964383 Dwight StreetRazed by fire in apparent arson in 1964.[56]
18William Skinner and Sons Mill1980Expanded several times; touted as largest silk mill in the world by 1922.[3]
19Winona Paper Company Mill No. 21880c. 201426 Water StreetDesigned by D. H. & A. B. Tower.[57] Also known as the Geo. C. Gill Mill after 1891; later part of the American Writing Paper Company. sold to the Brown Company in 1963.[58]


See also

References
  2. Root, Joshua L. (Fall 2009). "Something Will Drop: Socialists, Unions and Trusts in Nineteenth-Century Holyoke" (PDF). Historic Journal of Massachusetts. 37 (2): 38. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-12-24.
  3. "Who's Who in the Silk Industry–William Skinner". Silk. Vol. XV, no. 3. Silk Publishing Company. March 1922. p. 44. One building alone is 1000 feet long—the largest silk mill, under one roof, in the world
  4. "Emory Alexander Ellsworth". Journal of the Boston Society of Civil Engineers. III (8): 480. October 1916. In 1879 Mr. Ellsworth left the firm of Davis & Ellsworth to become principal assistant and head draftsman for D. H. & A. B. Tower, of Holyoke, who were the largest firm of paper mill architects in the country at that time, and who designed no less than twenty paper mills in the city of Holyoke alone
  5. HLY.W - The Flats/South Holyoke (Report). Massachusetts Historical Commission. p. 3 – via Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System (MACRIS). The Holyoke Canal System National Register district should be expanded to include buildings within The Flats and South Holyoke that relate to the canal and industrial history of the area. The expanded district meets Criteria A and C for listing on the Register and areas of significance include architecture, community planning and development, and industry
  6. "National Register Information System Archived 2015-06-26 at the Wayback Machine". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 28, 2020.
  7. "HLY.62" – via Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System (MACRIS).
  8. "Railroad Agreeable to the Plan; Grants Farr Alpaca company Rights to Building of Retaining wall". Springfield Daily News. Springfield, Mass. October 6, 1922. p. 21. The land is needed for the construction of the wall as a part of the work in erection of the new factory now being built by the Farr Alpaca company.
    • "Berkshire Associates Said Eyeing Farr Plant; Big Corporation Unofficially Reported Negotiating for Cotton Division". Springfield Republican. Springfield, Mass. August 5, 1939. p. 8.
  9. Richards, Harold H (1911). Richards Standard Atlas of the City of Holyoke, Massachusetts. Springfield, Mass.: Richards Map Company.
  10. "HLY.5" – via Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System (MACRIS).
  11. "HLY.73" – via Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System (MACRIS).
  12. Weidenaar, Reynold (1995). "II. Holyoke". Magic Music from the Telharmonium. Metuchen, N.J.: The Scarecrow Press, Inc. pp. 50–92. ISBN 9780810826922.
  13. Sears, Jacqueline (2015). Legendary Locals of Holyoke. Arcadia Publishing. p. 123.
  14. Kinney, Jim (January 15, 2019). "'The real estate has become hot': Startup with Holyoke marijuana plans buys historic Eureka Rule & Binding Co. building in Flats neighborhood". The Republican. Springfield, Mass. Archived from the original on January 15, 2019.
  15. Historic Preservation Plan Update Report (PDF) (Report). Pioneer Valley Planning Commission; City of Holyoke. 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 4, 2017.
  16. "HLY.1451" – via Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System (MACRIS).
  17. "HLY.74" – via Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System (MACRIS).
  18. "HLY.22" – via Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System (MACRIS).
  19. "[Advertisement for Fabric Specialty Co.]". Springfield Republican. Springfield, Mass. October 22, 1939. p. 39. Notice! The Farr Alpaca Co. has leased the store and fixtures to the Fabric Specialty Co... under the management of Miss L. Mittler (former mgr. of Farr Store)
    • "Wire Firm Gets Building Permit". Springfield Union. Springfield, Mass. June 30, 1966. p. 66.
    • "[Wanted Ad for General Electric Co.]". Springfield Republican. Springfield, Mass. March 27, 1946. p. 17.
    • "Massachusetts, Holyoke". The American Architect. Vol. XCVI. November 17, 1909. p. 10. Goetz Silk Company will erect mill on South Canal Street
    • "Clatter of the Looms". Silk. New York: McCready Publishing Company. 1910. p. 77. Ground has been broken for the new mill structure which is to be erected for the Goetz Silk Mfg. Co., Holyoke, Mass. The building which it is expected will be finished in about three months, will be 250 x 50 feet, three stories in height, and will house the entire interests of the concern.
    • "Mill News--Continued". Textile World Journal. March 29, 1919. p. 55. Holyoke, Mass. Plans have been filed for a new mill building to cost approximately $100,000 for the Goetz Silk Manufacturing Co. The building will be a two-story mill adjacent to their plant at Jackson and South Summer streets. The building will have a frontage of 56 feet and will be 147 feet deep. It is to be a throwing mill. Bids have been asked for and contracts will be awarded shortly. Charles T. Main is the mill engineer in charge.
    • "Holyoke". Springfield Republican. Springfield, Mass. April 20, 1911. p. 16. The mill building in Holyoke which early in the year looked as if it would be noticeable by its absence is beginning to come forward and already Contractor Casper Ranger has secured contracts for over $200,000 in this line of building in Holyoke. The new Skinner silk mill, the Goetz silk mill and the new power plant for the Crock division of the American writing paper company...
    • "All Holyoke Carpenters Out; Big Building Projects Seriously Hampered". Springfield Union. Springfield, Mass. May 18, 1911. p. 12. It was said also on the best of authority that the construction of the new Goetz Silk mill in South Holyoke...will be delayed indefinitely
  21. "HLY.6" – via Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System (MACRIS).
  22. Kinney, Jim (June 25, 2019). "Marijuana company Trulieve Cannabis Corp., formerly Life Essence, buys Holyoke building for $3.2M from Conklin Office Furniture". The Republican. Springfield, Mass. Archived from the original on July 4, 2019.
  23. "Benjamin F. Perkins Dies After an Operation". Springfield Republican. Springfield, Mass. October 26, 1900. p. 4. The firm began on Railroad street, where it increased till last year, when it was compelled to seek new quarters. The firm had just settled in its new mill on Crescent street.
  24. "To Make Japanese Napkins". Springfield Republican. Springfield, Mass. August 14, 1899. p. 6. The firm of B. F. Perkins & Co. which bought the Pearl City paper mill at South Hadley a few months ago, has been running since January 1 on Japanese paper napkins. The success of in this line has been so encouraging that a company has been formed under the name of the Japanese tissue mills, to continue this line of manufacture. The new company is capitalized at $27,000 and has a capacity of 200,000 napkins a day, with a force of 8 or 10 men employed. The company will make a specialty of napkins in which the designs are flowers instead of figures, and the coloring is more brilliant and attractive. The company is the first one to be incorporated in the East, most of the companies making this class of goods being located in the West.
  25. "Reorganization of Holyoke Co. in Court Today; Trustee to Submit Proposal Turning Tissue Mills Over to Worcester Interests". Springfield Union. Springfield, Mass. November 30, 1953. p. 5.
  26. "Employment for 150 Expected by Spring; Germania Mills Will Bring Livingston Division From R. I. to Holyoke". Springfield Republican. Springfield, Mass. January 17, 1934. p. 11.
  27. "Kruger Mills Notifies Help of Shutdown". Springfield Union. Springfield, Mass. March 30, 1966. p. 53.
  28. Green, Constance McLaughlin (1939). Holyoke, Massachusetts; A case history of the industrial revolution in America. Yale Historical Publications. Vol. XXXIV. New Haven: Yale University Press. pp. 37–39.
  29. MHC Reconnaissance Survey Town Report - Holyoke (PDF) (Report). Massachusetts Historical Commission. 1982. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 5, 2015.
  30. List of the Original Factories Established in Holyoke (PDF) (Report). Springfield, Mass.: Springfield Technical Community College (STCC). Archived from the original (PDF) on June 9, 2010.
  31. "Coming Soon: Canna Provisions Holyoke Dispensary". Canna Provisions. October 3, 2019. Archived from the original on December 11, 2019.
  32. "New and Enlarged Shops - Metal Working - New England States". American Machinist. Vol. XLVI, no. 26. New York: McGraw-Hill Publishing Company. June 28, 1917. p. 78.
  33. "Prentiss Wire Dedicates New Plant Facility; Is First Firm to Locate in Industry Park at Homestead Ave". Springfield Union. Springfield, Mass. November 9, 1962. p. 46.
  34. Parcel 022-01-007, Holyoke Assessor's Database
  35. "Experienced printing pressman". Springfield Union. Springfield, Mass. April 7, 1963. p. 75. Holyoke Die Cut Card Co., 541 Main St., Holyoke
    • "Experienced Die Cutting Pressman". Springfield Union. Springfield, Mass. April 30, 1965. p. 46. Holyoke Die Cut Card Co. Inc. 439 Dwight St., Holyoke
  36. "New England". The Iron Age. New York. July 29, 1920. p. 305.
  37. Johnson, Clifton (ed.). "Wellington George Reynolds". Hampden County, 1636-1936 - Individual and Family Records. Vol. III. p. 151.
  38. "Reynolds, Wellington George". The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography. J. T. White. 1944. p. 200. Reynolds entered business for himself in Holyoke in 1922, purchasing the business of M. J. Losty & Sons, school supplies manufacturers...
  39. Valente, AJ (2010). "II—Holyoke, City of Industry". Rag Paper Manufacture in the United States, 1801–1900. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company, Inc. p. 144. ISBN 9780786459971.
  40. "HLY.67" – via Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System (MACRIS).
  41. "HLY.82" – via Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System (MACRIS).
  42. "HLY.72" – via Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System (MACRIS).
    • Gerhard Wiesinger (2004). "Translating Gymnastics Into Economic and Political Power: The Rise and Decline of the German Turnverein in Holyoke, Massachusetts, 1871–1910". In Annette R. Hofmann (ed.). Turnen and Sport. New York, München, Berlin: Waxmann Münster. pp. 121–146.
    • "Worsted Plant In Holyoke to End Operations; Livingston Mills Head Attributes Closing to Japanese Imports". Springfield Union. Springfield, Mass. August 28, 1964. p. 5.
  44. The New England Business Directory and Gazetteer. Vol. XVII. Boston: Sampson, Murdock, & Co. 1896. p. 485.
  45. A Directory of Massachusetts Manufactures: Classified by Industry. Boston: Wright & Potter Printing Company. 1913. p. 4.
  46. Parcel 018-01-004, Holyoke Assessor's Database
  47. Brown Company Report to Shareholders 1968 (PDF) (Report). Brown Company. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 1, 2019 – via McGill University.
  48. "HLY.25" – via Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System (MACRIS).
  49. Holyoke To-day. Holyoke, Mass.: J. Eveleth Griffith. 1887.
  50. Massachusetts Reports: Decisions of the Supreme Judicial Court. Vol. CXCIII. 1907. pp. 31–33. From a date earleir than October 12, 1883, to June 18, 1901, James Connor of Holyoke was engaged in the manufacture of woollen cloth and shoddy in two mills in that city known as the New York Mill and the Bigelow Street Mill...Connor continued to use the property as such lessee until his bankruptcy in 1901.
  51. Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Hampshire County, Massachusetts. 1896. p. 337.
  52. Barrett, Robert E. The History of the Holyoke Water Power Company; A Subsidiary of Northeast Utilities, 1859-1967 (PDF). Holyoke, Mass. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-12-12 – via Holyoke Gas & Electric.
  53. Green, Constance McLaughlin (1939). Holyoke, Massachusetts; A case history of the industrial revolution in America. Yale Historical Publications. Vol. XXXIV. New Haven: Yale University Press. pp. 35–37.
  54. DeForge, Jeanette (August 28, 2008). "Boy found guilty of setting fire at Parsons Paper Mill in Holyoke". The Republican. Springfield, Mass. Archived from the original on November 29, 2019.
    • "HLY.12" – via Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System (MACRIS).
    • "Holyoke Notes; The Water-Power—Musical Matters—The New Buildings—The Syms & Dudley Paper Company—The Agricultural Fair". Springfield Republican. Springfield, Mass. September 12, 1880. p. 3.
  56. "Eighth Holyoke Arson Victim Near Death; Hunt Continues". Boston Herald. Boston. November 16, 1964. p. 3. An abandoned five-story once owned by the Whiting Paper Co., burned practically to the ground early this year, causing an estimated $250,000 damage
  57. "Paper Mill Building, and Paper Mill Designers, Architects, and Builders". The Paper World. Vol. XXIV, no. 3. Springfield, Mass. March 1892. pp. 1–4.
  58. "HLY.13" – via Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System (MACRIS).
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