Lowell in Middlesex County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
Evolution of a Millyard
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 17, 2018
1. Evolution of a Millyard Marker
Angled to prevent sun's glare
Inscription.
Evolution of a Millyard. . , The Boott Cotton Mills complex is one of the finest examples of mill architecture in the United States. The mill complex you see today resulted from many decades of expansion and adaption.
[Top left diagram] , 1830s , Four mill buildings were constructed here between the Eastern Canal and Merrimack River in the late 1830s. The area around the mills was open because of the fear and danger of fire.
[Middle left diagram] , 1840s-1860s , In the 1840s the introduction of sprinkler systems into the mills made their expansion possible. The original mills were then connected to make two larger buildings, and a fifth mill was added. Open space vanished.
[Bottom left diagram] , 1870s to present , The widespread use of steam power after the Civil War led to another round of construction. Four more mills were added and the earlier buildings were expanded. Eventually as the millyard was completely enclosed views of river, city, and canals disappeared.
[Photo caption reads] , Workers in Boott mill yard, ca. 1880
The Boott Cotton Mills complex is one of the finest examples of mill architecture in the United States. The mill complex you see today resulted from many decades of expansion and adaption.
[Top left diagram]
1830s
Four mill buildings were constructed here between the Eastern Canal and Merrimack River in the late 1830s. The area around the mills was open because of the fear and danger of fire.
[Middle left diagram]
1840s-1860s
In the 1840s the introduction of sprinkler systems into the mills made their expansion possible. The original mills were then connected to make two larger buildings, and a fifth mill was added. Open space vanished.
[Bottom left diagram]
1870s to present
The widespread use of steam power after the Civil War led to another round of construction. Four more mills were added and the earlier buildings were expanded. Eventually as the millyard was completely enclosed views of river, city, and canals disappeared.
[Photo caption reads]
Workers in Boott mill yard, ca. 1880
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1880.
Location. 42°
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38.86′ N, 71° 18.44′ W. Marker is in Lowell, Massachusetts, in Middlesex County. Marker is on John Street, 0.1 miles north of French Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is in the Boott Mills courtyard, near the entrance to the National Park Service's Bootts Mill Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 115 John Street, Lowell MA 01852, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 17, 2018
2. Evolution of a Millyard Marker
Angled to prevent sun's glare
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 17, 2018
3. Evolution of a Millyard Marker
In the Boott Cotton Mills Complex courtyard
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 17, 2018
4. Boott Cotton Mills
Looking SE along the Eastern Canal
Photographed By Van Slyck and Company, Boston, circa 1880s
5. Boott Cotton Mills Complex Illustration
In the museum
Credits. This page was last revised on October 25, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 27, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 159 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 27, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
