The French Worsted Company Mill Historic District encompassed a historic mill complex in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. Bounded by Hamlet Avenue, Davison Avenue, and Manville Road, a complex of sixteen brick buildings was built between 1906 and the late 1920s. The complex was home to the French Worsted Company, a manufacturer established with funds from

French French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents ** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...

investors brought over by

Aram Pothier Aram Jules Pothier (July 26, 1854 – February 4, 1928) was an American banker and politician of French Canadian descent. He served as the 51st and 55th Governor of Rhode Island. Personal life Pothier was born in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, the ...

, the Quebec-born mayor of Woonsocket. The company engaged in the manufacture of fine worsted wool yarns. The company survived the

Great Depression The Great Depression (19291939) was an economic shock that impacted most countries across the world. It was a period of economic depression that became evident after a major fall in stock prices in the United States. The economic contagio ...

and competition from Southern mills, but finally failed in 1969. The buildings were then converted to a variety of light manufacturing interests. The mill district was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 21, 2008. It was demolished in 2012.

References

French-American culture in Rhode Island Historic districts in Providence County, Rhode Island Historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Rhode Island National Register of Historic Places in Providence County, Rhode Island Demolished buildings and structures in Rhode Island Buildings and structures demolished in 2012 {{ProvidenceCountyRI-NRHP-stub