Fall River in the late 1800s led the United States in the production of cotton cloth.
Fall River's prosperity was a product of its location, the development of steam engines for cotton machinery and transport, and a cadre of trained mill operatives and managers.
The big spurt came with construction of seventeen mills in 1871-1872. Through panics and depressions, the motto was,
"The mills always come back." Except for the last time in 1924 when the mills didn't come back.
By 1931, Fall River was bankrupt and would stay that way for ten years. |
This web site presents vignettes on the owners, workers, technology and history of the Fall River Cotton Mills.
"Here's to Fall River, the city of hills and mills, pork pies and dirty neck weavers!"
Last Update 07/12/2008
Send comments to: Joe Powers jpowers03@snet.net Return to Home Page