Nomination for Border City Mill No. 2

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

NPS Form 10-900 (Rev. 8-86) OMB No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Registration Form MAY 2 9 1990- NATIONAL REGISTER This form is for use in nominating or requesting determinations of eligibility for individual properties or districts. See instructions in Guidelines for Completing National Register Forms (National Register Bulletin 16). Complete each item by marking "x" in the appropriate box or by entering the requested information. If an item does not apply to the property being documented, enter "N/A" for "not applicable." For functions, styles, materials, and areas of significance, enter only the categories and subcategories listed in the instructions. For additional space use continuation sheets (Form 10-900a). Type all entries. 1.

Name of Property historic name Border City Mill #2 other names/site number 2. Location street & number One Weaver Street city, town Fall River state Massachusetts code MA N/A not for publication N/A vicinity county Bristol code 005 zip code 02722 3. Classification Ownership of Property X private public-local public-State public-Federal Category of Property X building(s) district site structure object Number of Resources within Property Contributing Noncontributing 1 0 buildings sites structures objects Total Name of related multiple property listing: Number of contributing resources previously Fal1 River MRA listed in the National Register 4.

State/Federal Agency Certification As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, I hereby certify that this X nomination Jrequest for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the NationalRegisterof Historic Places and meets the procedural and professional requirementsset forth in 36 CFR Part 60. In my opinion, the property [X meets does not meet the National Register criteria. See continuation sheet. vaune Signature of certifying official Ialnxagutive Dtrector, Massachusetts Historical Date Commission; State Historic Preservation Officer State or Federal agency and bureau In my opinion, the property does not meet the National Register criteria. See continuation sheet. Signature of commenting or other official Date State or Federal agency and bureau 5.

National Park Service Certification I, hereby, certify that this property is: entered in the National Register. See continuation sheet. determined eligible for the National Register. See continuation sheet. determined not eligible for the National Register. Entered in the delouDyun Mational Register 6/25/90 removed from the National Register. other, (explain:) for signaue or tho keopor Date of Action 6. Function or Use Historic Functions (enter categories from instructions) Industry/Manufacturing facility Border City Mill #2, Fall River, Massachusetts Current Functions (enter categories from instructions) Domestic/Multiple dwelling 100g 7.

Description Architectural Classification (enter categories from instructions) Late Victorian/Italianate Materials (enter categories from instructions) foundation walls- Brick Granite roof other _ Slate Limestone, Cast iron, Wood Describe present and historic physical appearance. The Border City Mill #2, Fall River, Massachusetts, was constructed in 1873 after plans by Josiah Brown. It is the oldest and largest surviving structure within what was once the sprawling Border City Mill complex. The building incorporates many of the Italianate details common to mills in Fall River. Josiah Brown, said to be Fall River's first professional architect, is credited with the design of several other important Fall River buildings, including the Union and Robeson Mills and the First Baptist Church.

The Robeson Mill, like the Border City Mill, is constructed of brick, a rarity in Fall River otherwise largely characterized by granite mill construction. Located on the south bank of the Taunton River (now separated from it by Route 79), Mill #2 is the only one of three surviving masonry mill buildings to retain its original appearance. The main mill block has a very shallow dentilated and corbelled eave, relieved at each of the mid-points of the north and south sides of the east and west walls by small decorative pediments. While the five-story (plus basement) main block of Mill #2 measures 33 feet X 73 feet overall, a three-story (plus basement) former picker house wing of 45 feet X 75 feet extends to the rear or west just south of the midpoint of the main block.

A two-story former boiler house measuring 50 feet X 75 feet overall, and also constructed of brick, is partially connected to the picker house wing at its southeast corner. The boiler house stack has been removed. All three of these interconnected structures have shallow-pitched gable The main mill structure, laid in stretcher bond, rests on a high dressed granite base and contains pilastered and arcaded panel facades. A square eight-story campanile capped by an open belfry with a bell-cast or ogee roof projects from the front of the main block's east facade. This incorporates various decorative elements, including recessed panels, and a granite belt course and keystones at the uppermost section of the tower.

belfry contains paired round-head arches on each of its four sides and is unique to Fall River, with the only other example found on the tower of the Mechanic's Mill, demolished in the early 1980s. A large limestone tablet inscribed with the words "Border City Mills" is set into the front, or east face of the campanile above the fifth floor level, and a smaller one containing the date 1873 is located within the brickwork over the main entrance. [X See continuation sheet NP& Porm 10,000- (8-88) United States Department of the Interlor National Park Service Natlonal Register of Historlc Places Continuation Sheet Sectlon number - Page - Border City Mill #2, Fall River, Massachusetts Fenestration consists of multi-light metal sash installed in 1988 as a replacement for a mixture of original and replacement wood sash too badly deteriorated for continued use in a residential context.

The new sash match the muntin configuration of the original 12/12 sash, and bear a very close resemblance to their wood predecessors. The remaining exterior element of significance, and again, unique to Fall River, is a series of six intact original decorative cast-iron fire escapes. These are situated two on each of the long facades, and one on each of the end walls of the main block. According to William Finch, who reported on the mill 1n a 1983 report, after a disastrous fire swept the Granite Mills in 1874, presumably with loss of life, fire escapes became common on Fall River mills. The Border City Mill #2 is the only mill in Fall River to have retained its CETE fire escapes, and hence these are a more significant architectural feature to Fall River than they might be elsewhere.

In addition however, the highly stylized nature of the mill's escapes imparts an additional artistic merit to them which is uncommon even to the larger region. The interior of the mill has been completely retro-fitted for use as residential apartments, and contains no original fabric except exposed wood center posts on the basement level. A main stair within the bell tower was evaluated for structural integrity and possible reuse in connection with the mill's recent conversion to apartment use, and was found to be deficient to the point where the engineers recommended its immediate disassembly as a safety hazard. The stair tower space has been incorporated into the residential rehabilitation. OMB Apprevel No.

1084-0018 (continued) NPSForm 10-800- United States Department of the Interlor National Park Service Natlonal Register of Historlc Places Continuatlon Sheet Section number - Page - Border City Mill #2, Fall River, Massachusetts Archaeological Description While no prehistoric sites are currently recorded on the mill property, it is possible that sites are present. Two known prehistoric sites are recorded in the general area (within one mile). This factor and the close proximity of the property to the Taunton River and filled estuary indicates a reasonable potential for locating sites. Archaeological testing should be performed to determine the extent of disturbance and/or filling of the buried coastline from mill construction. There is also a potential for locating historic archaeological resources on the property.

Background research and archaeological testing can determine if sub-surface survivals exist of structures no longer extant and contribute data pertaining to the layout of the entire complex. Engineering features may also be present below ground relating to early power or construction of the mills. Historic archaeological survivals may also exist in filled areas along the coast where barges, vessels or other culturally important fills (trash) may have been used as fill material. OMB Apprevel No. 1084-0018 (end) Border City Mill #2, Fall River, Massachusetts 8. Statement of Significance

Statement of significance

Certifying official has considered the significance of this property in relation to other properties: Jnationally statewide X locally Applicable National Register Criteria XA Criteria Considerations (Exceptions) A Areas of Significance (enter categories from instructions) Architecture Industry C E Period of Significance 1873-1939 Significant Dates N/A Cultural Affiliation N/A Significant Person Architect/Builder N/A Brown, Josiah State significance of property, and justify criteria, criteria considerations,and areas and periods of significance noted above. Theoldest and largestsurviving mill in the Border City Mill Complex (1872-1889), Mill #2 stands alone in a highly visible location along Route 79 in Fall River.

The Border City Mill #2 meets Criteria A and C of the National netn Register of Historic Places on the local level as a good example of third quarter 19th century Italianate mill architecture with strong associations with the development of the textile industry in Fall River. It was designed by Josiah Brown, considered to have been Fall River's first professional architect. In 1868, with the building of the Mechanicsville Mill on the Taunton River, the northern section of Fall River was opened to industrial expansion. The Weetamoe Mills followed in 1870, and in 1872, three companies (Border City, Sagamore, and Narragansett) began building. Located on the Taunton River at its junction with Mt. Hope Bay, these northern mills were the first industrial ventures not located on the Quequechan River.

According to 19th century history, Fall River and its industries (1879), "The site chosen had admirable facilities for the transaction of business, a good depth of water on the west,where a wharf was easily constructed for reception of buildings material, coal, cotton, freight, etc., while on the east was the 0ld Colony Railroad, from which a spur was built directly past the doors of the mill to the wharf, and by which cloth and supplies could readily be shipped north and south." (p.144) The long distance overland to the sources of. Fall River granite in comparison to the ease of transport of brick to the site by water, dictated the use of brick along the Taunton River. "Border City" was the name that was often applied to Fall River because of its proximity to Rhode Island. The Border City Mills, organized in 1872 by George T. Hathaway, Esq., of Boston, with Mssrs. S.

Angier Chace, Chester W. Green of Fall River, and James A. Hathaway, also of Boston, solicited subscriptions totalling one million dollars in capital. The stock was taken over by one hundred fifty subscribers. S. A. Chace was elected President, George T. [X See continuation sheet 9.

The rest of the file

Bibliography, boundary description, and the people who prepared and reviewed the nomination.

Major Bibliographical References Previous documentation on file (NPS): -preliminary determination of individual listing (36 CFR 67) has been requested previously listed in the National Register previously determined eligible by the National Register designated a National Historic Landmark recorded by Historic American Buildings Survey # recorded by Historic American Engineering Record# 10. Geographical Data Acreage of property Approximately 4 acres UTM References A L1, 9 3219,00 Zone Easting 4 6 2,15,6,0 Northing C X See continuation sheet Primary location of additional data: [X] State historic preservation office Other State agency Federal agency Local government University Other Specify repository: Massachusetts Historical Commission Zono Eaeing Norhing!!!

See continuation sheet Verbal Boundary Description Bounded on the north by Route 79 and the Taunton River; the east by North Main Street and the Penn. Central Railroad tracks; the south by Weaver Street and the west by vacant land and the Taunton River. See continuation sheet Boundary Justification The boundaries are ones historically associated with Border City Mill #2. See continuation sheet 11. Form Prepared By name/title Frederick W.

Lyman, Consultant w/ Betsy Friedberg, NR Director organization Massachusetts Historical Commission _ date February 1, 1989 street & number 80 Boylston Street telephone (617) 727-8470 city or town Boston state MA zip code 02116 NPSPorm10-800 (8-00) United States Department of the Interlor National ParkService Natlonal Register of Historlc Places Continuation Sheet Sectlon number - Page 1 Border City Mill #2, Fall River, Massachsuetts Hathaway Treasurer, and James E. Cuneen was later named as Superintendent. A mill was planned for some 75,000 spindles, and it was decided to handle this capacity in two mill buildings. Mili #1 was built in 1872-3, and Mill #2 in 1873. In 1877 Mill #1 burned and was being rebuilt in 1879 when the company experienced financial difficulties and passed into the hands of its creditors. It was reorganized as the Border City Manufacturing Co., with John .

Brayton as President and Edward L. Anthony as Treasurer, with additional capital of $600,000. As a result, a third mill was built in 1888. The company produced print cloth 64 feet X 64 feet, and by 1901 also produced sheeting and shirting, and diversified to produce worsted goods and fancy cloth. Because the northern section was sparsely settled farmland, the company also subsequently constructed 158 multi-family tenements over a twenty block area.' The Border City Mills and its successor organization the Border City Manufacturing Company, came into being and operated during the principal years of Fall River's peak production of textiles.

The location of the entire BorderCity Mills complex, now largely dismembered through demolition and highway construction, was one that had for years been an agricultural backwater, but was rapidly industrialized when the demand for Fall River's output exceeded its capacity along the Quequechan River. John Brayton and Edward Anthony are the two names principally associated with the zenith of Fall River's industrial strength, and undoubtedly their experience and genius turned the original mill complex into the profitable one it became under their leadership. Mill #2 of the Border City Mills stands today as a sentinel landmark upon entering Fall River from the north toward Battleship Cove along recently completed Route 79. . As such, it serves as a visual introduction to the textile heritage which built the City of Fall River, Massachusetts.

The #2 mill is of substantial historical importance to the city of Fall River as a virtually intact and isolated freestanding symbol of the great surge of industrial expansion that occurred in Fall River during the early 1870s. (continued) OMB Approvel No. 1084-0018 NPS Form 10-000 (8-06) United States Department of the Interlor NationalParkService Natlonal Register of Historlc Places Continuatlon Sheet Sectlon number - 8 Page - < Border City Mill #2, Fall River, Massachsuetts Archaeological Significance Since patterns of prehistoric occupation in Fall River are poorly understood, any surviving sites would be significant. Sites in this area may be important in documenting changing sea level rise and it's effects on Native American subsistence and settlement patterns.

This type of locale, the mouth of a major riverine area on the coast has been suggested as a favored settlement location during later period of prehistory and during the Contact Period. Survivals may exist in the Border City Mill property to test this hypothesis. Historic archaeological remains described above have the potential to contribute in a detailed reconstruction of Fall River's coastline and provide engineering datmaterials used a1ong engineering data of early power use and construction/operation of the mill complex. Fill materials used along the coast can provide information on a variety of sources depending on the type of fills used. Maritime related fills can potentially provide data on vessels while domestic fill can provide social, economic and cultural data on individuals or persons associated with mill activities. (end) OMB Apprevel Ne.

1084-0018 Npo Pom 10800-0 United States Department of the Interlor National Park Service Natlonal Register of Historlc Places Continuation Sheet Sectlon number - Page - Border City Mill #2, Fall River, Massachusetts Bibliography and/or References 1874 Barlow's Insurance Plans, Mill #2 1876 Barlow's Insurance Plans, Mill #1 1920 Corporate Mill Plans Phillip's History of Fall River, Vol. II p. 129 (1945) History of Bristol County p. 321-22 (1883) J. Periera/P. Vielmetti, Fall River Office of Historic Preservation Fall River and its Industries p. 143-144. (1879) History of Fall River Fire Dept. p. 120 (1900) Sylvia Chase Lintner, Mill Architecture in Fall River: 1865-1880, New England Quarterly 21, June 1948, p. 185-203. Books and Articles. Boss, Judith A. Fall River, A Pictoral History. Norfolk/Virginia Beach, VA: Donning Company Publishers. urgy, u. Herbert.

Industrial Geography.Baftland Cotton Textile Industry, A Study in 1932. Dunwell, The Run of the Mill. Boston, MA: David R. Godine, Co., 1978. Fall River and Its Industries. p. 143-144, 1879. Fall River and its Manufactories. Benjamin Earl and Son, Fall River, MA, 1878. Fenner Henry M. History of FallRiver Massachusetts, Compiled for the Cotton Centennial, Fall River Merchants Association, 1911. Finch, William B., and Preservation Technology Associates, expanded inventory form for Border City Mill #2, May 30, 1986. History of Bristol County, p. 321-322, 1883. History of Fall River Fire Department. p. 120, 1900. Lintner, Sylvia. Chase. "MiTl Architecture in Fall River: 1865-1880." New England Quarterly 1, June 1948, p. 185-203. Phillip's History of Fall River, Vol. II, p. 129, 1945. Silvia, Philip T., Jr., editor. Fall River, 1886-1900, As viewed through its newspaper accounts.

Fall River, MA: R. E. Smith Printing Co., 1988. Smith, Thomas Russel1. The Cotton Textile. Industry of Fall River. Massachusetts, A Study of Industrial Localization. New York: Kings Crown 7944. Maps and Site Plans. 1874 Barlow's Insurance Plans, Mill #2. 1920 Corporate Mill Plans. 1925 Insurance Map for Border City Mill No. 2. 1952 Insurance Map for Border City Mill Nos. 1, 2 and 3. OMB Approvel No. 1084-0018 (end) NPSForm10-900-a (3-82) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form Continuation sheet Item number OMB No. 1024-0018 Exp. 10-31-84 For NPS use only TECBIVed ,/s/e) date entered Page ( 0 410 Multiple Resource Area Thematie Group Name State Fall River Multiple Resource Area MA "Inminotion/Type of Review 91. Wyoming Mills Substantive RevTew D5E/OWNER OBJECTION Date/Signature Keeper Attest fKeeper 92.

Corky Row Historic District Entered in the National Register dlelamDzua 6/2/2 Attest 93. Lower Highlands Historic District Tatared Matiopal Begister 94. Bernard's Folly Substantive Revlew Keeper dlmBsus /10/84 Attest Keeper 95. Truesdale Hospital 96. Manley, William M., House 97. Sacred Heart Schoo1 Attest fnkeper Wiskin B. Bush198 Attest Bettg Sauzge 4-15-8 Entered Theeper Nationel Regietes AenaByen 6/26/2 Attest Jntezed in the Watlonal Register foxcoper AubrByu 3/9/8s Attest 98. Border City Mill No. Entered in the 2ational Begiste Keeper 6/8/20 Attest Keeper Attest Keeper Attest UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET REQUESTED ACTION: NOMINATION PROPERTY Border City Mill No.

2 NAME : MULTIPLE Fall River MPS NAME: STATE & COUNTY: MASSACHUSETTS, Bristol DATE RECEIVED: DATE OF 16TH DAY: DATE OF WEEKLY LIST: 5/29/90 6/28/90 DATE OF PENDING LIST: DATE OF 45TH DAY: 6/12/90 7/13/90 REFERENCE NUMBER: 90000999 NOMINATOR: STATE REASONS FOR REVIEW: APPEAL: N DATA PROBLEM: N LANDSCAPE: N LESS THAN 50 YEARS: OTHER: N PDIL: N PERIOD: N PROGRAM UNAPPROVED: REQUEST: N SAMPLE: N SLR DRAFT: N NATIONAL: N N N COMMENT WAIVER: N ACCEPT RETURN _REJECT 6/28/90 DATE Entered in the National Register ABSTRACT/SUMMARY COMMENTS: RECOM./CRITERIA REVIEWER DISCIPLINE DATE_ DOCUMENTATION see attached comments Y/N see attached SLR Y/N CLASSIFICATION _count _resource type STATE/FEDERAL AGENCY CERTIFICATION FUNCTION -_historic _current DESCRIPTION _architectural classification materials _descriptive text SIGNIFICANCE Period Areas of Significance--Check and justify below Specific dates Builder/Architect Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) _summary paragraph _completeness _clarity applicable criteria _justification of areas checked _relating significance to the resource context _relationship of integrity to significance justification of exception _other BIBLIOGRAPHY GEOGRAPHICAL DATA _acreage UTMS _verbal boundary description _boundary justification ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTATION/PRESENTATION sketch maps USGS maps photographs OTHER COMMENTS Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to Phone _presentation Signed Date Border City #2: Basement level - parking showing original column center line.

Fal Rir, MA Bode Cik, Mill#2 _Border City#2: Typical end-stair Tall lire.MA Bordelitu#z Border City #2: north wall of - boiler house (front) and Picker house (rear) . Fall Rise MA Borde lits Mill#2 Border City #2: west side of - complex as viewed from the west- along Route 79. Fall Rime, MA Bodu Cty MiLl #2 - Border City #2: east facade main building. fall Rier,MA Boda Cuty Mill#z. Border City #2: east wall of - main building and campanile. Fall River, MA Borde City Mill#2 Border City , #2: Main lobby at - transition point between campan ile (foreground) and mill (rear). tall Rim. MA Boder Cify Mill# 2 Border City #2: Boiler house int-: -erior, now swimming pool.

Fall Rim MA Borde Cty Mill#z Border City #2: View of complex -from the southwest showing boiler house(left) and picker hse (midale Fall Risa, MA BordeCity Mill# 2 Border City#2: east (left) and -north (right) walls of the boiler house. Fall Rim, MA Borde City Mill#2 WESTERN RIVER O'sOL AEALTY MOS- SCALE OF PEET SANBORN MAP ®.235 SUBJECT PROPERTY EXPRESS WEAVER MFG TRAUEL 004308 (11S3N30N - COVE 229 -.'... ve. R EOLOVE MAY 2 9 1990 NATIONAL REGISTER *COMMISSIO LACIDAM S ISVB LIBEN * 1 Conowialil o ke) May 14, 1990 Carol Shull National Register of Historic Places Department of the Interior National Park Service P.O. Box 37127 Washington, DC 20013-7127 Dear Ms. Shull: Enclosed please find the following nomination: Border City Mill #2, One Weaver Street, Fall River (Bristol County), Massachusetts, 02722. There has been no owner objection for the property listed above.

The nomination has been voted eligible by the State Review Board and has been signed by the State Historic Preservation Officer. Owners were notified of pending State Review Board consideration 30-75 days before the meeting and were afforded the opportunity to comment. Comments received to date are attached to the nomination form. Sincerely, Betey Fredkerg Betsy Friedberg National Register Director Massachusetts Historical Commission Enclosure: Massachusetts Historical Commission, Valerie A. Talmage, Executive Director, State Historic Preservation Officer 80 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116 (617) 727-8470 Office of the Secretary of State, Michael J. Connolly, Secretary