Rochester in Oakland County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Western Knitting Mills and Boarding Houses

Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 19, 2021

1. Western Knitting Mills and Boarding Houses Marker

Inscription. In 1844, the first knitting and carding mill was built on Paint Creek. After several fires, the current building on Water Street was built in 1896 by the Western Knitting Mills. Wool was supplied from sheep in the area. The Western Knitting Mills was one of the largest woolen mills in the country and a major supplier of gloves and socks to our soldiers during World War I. During World War II, this property was owned by McAleer Manufacturing, which was the major supplier of photo-flash bombs used by our military.

Boarding houses, adjacent to the south side of the mill, were built ca. 1915 for female workers, many of whom were recruited from the Upper Peninsula.

Erected by Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, The Preede Foundation in conjunction with the Community Foundation of Greater Rochester, Paint Creek Trailways Commission, Downtown Rochester, Rochester-Avon Historical Society, Rochester Historical Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, World I • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1844.

Location. 42° 40.846′ N, 83° 7.825′ W. Marker is

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in Rochester, Michigan, in Oakland County. Marker can be reached from Water Street east of East Fourth Street. Marker is near the east end of the walkway leading to Rochester Lions Park and can be seen from the parking lot (about 300 feet east of Water Street). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 400 Water Street, Rochester MI 48307, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Hammer (within shouting distance of this marker); Western Knitting Mills (within shouting distance of this marker); Western Knitting Mills Dam and Michigan Central Railroad Bridge (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Rochester Train Depot and Rochester Elevator (about 700 feet away); Masonic Block (approx. 0.2 miles away); City of Rochester, Michigan (approx. 0.2 miles away); Rochester Opera House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Rollin Sprague Building (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rochester.

Western Knitting Mills and Boarding Houses Marker — top left image image. Click for full size.

2. Western Knitting Mills and Boarding Houses Marker — top left image

Western Knitting Mills ca. 1905

Western Knitting Mills and Boarding Houses Marker — top right image image. Click for full size.

3. Western Knitting Mills and Boarding Houses Marker — top right image

Mills Boarding Houses ca. 1915

Western Knitting Mills and Boarding Houses Marker — bottom left image image. Click for full size.

4. Western Knitting Mills and Boarding Houses Marker — bottom left image

Female Workers Outside Boarding House ca. 1915

Western Knitting Mills and Boarding Houses Marker — bottom right image image. Click for full size.

5. Western Knitting Mills and Boarding Houses Marker — bottom right image

This ad appeared in many Upper Peninsula newspapers in 1897.

Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 19, 2021

6. Western Knitting Mills and Boarding Houses Marker

View looking from Rochester Lions Park to the west (toward Water Street). A former Western Knitting Mills building is in the background.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 19, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 19, 2021, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 293 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 19, 2021, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.