Fall River in Bristol County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
American Print
Matthew Chaloner Durfee (MCD) Borden (July 18, 1842 - May 27, 1912) was an American textile leader from Fall River who, in 1880 reorganized the failed American Print Works, established by Holder Borden in 1835, into the American Printing Company (APC). His father was Colonel Richard Borden, who founded the Fall River Iron Works along with Major Bradford Durfee in 1821.
At its peak, about 1910, the APC, Fall River's largest employer, employed 6,000 people, and was the largest printer of cotton cloth in the world, earning MCD the nickname "the Calico King."
In a post World War I economy the demand for textiles slowed. Production of textiles quickly outpaced demand, and the price of print cloth dropped sharply. In 1923, Fall River faced the first wave of mill closures. The once mighty American Printing Company closed its Fall River mills in 1934.
Today, the APC site is occupied by Borden & Remington Chemical Company (Boremco) at 55 Water Street. Several of the late 19th Century buildings remain.
Erected by Creative Arts Network; Mass Cultural Council.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this
this page online
Location. 41° 42.109′ N, 71° 9.73′ W. Marker is in Fall River, Massachusetts, in Bristol County. It is at the intersection of Western Fall River Expressway and Water Street Connector, on the right when traveling west on Western Fall River Expressway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 21 Broadway, Fall River MA 02721, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the South Coast. It is also in the American Northeast, in New England, and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Fall River Whaling (here, next to this marker); Fall River Line: Floating Palaces (here, next to this marker); Mechanics Mill (a few steps from this marker); Fall River and Ponta Delgada, Sister Cities (a few steps from this marker); "Hortensia"
Credits. This page was last revised on October 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 4, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 4, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
