Pawtucket in Providence County, Rhode Island — The American Northeast (New England)

First Successful Cotton Mill in America

Photographed by Dawn Bowen, July 7, 2007

1. First Successful Cotton Mill in America Marker

Inscription. In commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the first successful cotton mill in America this tablet was presented to the Old Slater Mill Association, present owners of this historic building in honor of the textile pioneer whose name they perpetuate. Samuel Slater, father of the American factory system. From this little mill started by Slater in 1790, grew America’s great cotton manufacturing industry whose products are known around the world.

Erected 1940 by the National Association of Cotton Manufacturers and the Rhode Island Textile Association.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1790.

Location. 41° 52.667′ N, 71° 22.955′ W. Marker is in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, in Providence County. It can be reached from Roosevelt Avenue. It is at the Slater Mill Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 67 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket RI 02860, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Rhode Island’s Blackstone Valley,

in Greater Providence,

and on Narragansett

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Bay.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in New England.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A Mechanic's Life (here, next to this marker); The Old Slater Mill (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Old Slater Mill (a few steps from this marker); Slater Mill (a few steps from this marker); The Wilkinson Mill (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pawtucket.

Other markers no longer nearby. Sylvanus Brown House (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Slater Mill Historic Site (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 19, 2020

2. First Successful Cotton Mill in America Marker

Slater Mill along the Blackstone River image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dawn Bowen, July 7, 2007

3. Slater Mill along the Blackstone River

Mural across Roosevelt Avenue about Pawtucket's significance in the American Industrial Revolution image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 19, 2020

4. Mural across Roosevelt Avenue about Pawtucket's significance in the American Industrial Revolution

Credits. This page was last revised on February 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 11, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,149 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 11, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on June 21, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on July 11, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. 4. submitted on June 21, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.