This detailed timeline captures the rise, peak, decline, and transformation of Fall River’s textile industry, highlighting key events and developments over the centuries.

1811: The Fall River Manufactory, the first cotton mill, is established by Colonel Joseph Durfee. This mill marks the beginning of the textile industry in Fall River.

1831: The Pocasset Manufacturing Company is established, marking the start of significant investment in the textile industry.

1843: The American Print Works begins operations, producing printed fabrics and significantly contributing to the city’s industrial growth.

1847: The Fall River Iron Works Company is established, integrating textile and iron manufacturing, further boosting the local economy.

1851: The Massasoit Steam Mill is built, one of the first steam-powered mills in the area, signaling a shift from water to steam power.

1853: The Metacomet Mill is established, further expanding the city’s textile production capacity.

1857: The Union Mill is constructed, adding to the growing number of mills in the city.

1861-1865: The Civil War period sees increased demand for textiles, particularly for military uniforms, spurring growth in the industry.

1867: The Merchants Mill is founded, contributing to Fall River’s reputation as a major textile manufacturing center.

1871: The city becomes known as the “Spindle City” due to its extensive network of textile mills.

1880: The Border City Mill No. 3 is constructed, one of the largest mills of its time.

1882: The Borden and Almy Mills are established, further expanding the city’s textile industry.

1892: The Kerr Thread Company starts operations, specializing in thread manufacturing.

1904: The King Philip Mill is constructed, becoming one of the largest cotton mills in Fall River.

1910: Fall River reaches its peak, with over 100 mills and 30,000 mill workers, making it the leading textile manufacturing city in the United States.

1911: The Granite Mills are destroyed by fire but are quickly rebuilt, showing the industry’s resilience.

1913: The Davol Mills, specializing in medical textiles, begin operations.

1920: The textile industry starts facing competition from Southern mills due to cheaper labor and less stringent regulations.

1928: The Great Depression hits, leading to decreased demand for textiles and financial struggles for many mills.

1930s: The industry continues to decline, with many mills closing or relocating to the South.

1941-1945: World War II temporarily boosts demand for textiles, providing a brief respite for the industry.

1950s: The decline of the textile industry accelerates due to increased competition from synthetic fabrics and foreign manufacturers.

1955: The Narragansett Mills close, symbolizing the ongoing decline.

1960s: Many mills are repurposed for other types of manufacturing or are left abandoned.

1970s: The last remaining mills struggle to compete, with most closing by the end of the decade.

1980s: Efforts are made to preserve the historic mill buildings, with some converted into housing, offices, and cultural centers.

1992: The Fall River Historical Society opens a museum dedicated to the city’s industrial heritage.

1999: The revitalization of the former mill district begins, with investments in infrastructure and redevelopment projects.

2001: The Narrows Center for the Arts is established in a former mill building, becoming a cultural hub for the city.

2005: The redevelopment of the American Printing Company mills into residential and commercial space is completed.

2010: The Fall River Heritage State Park opens, celebrating the city’s industrial past and providing recreational space for residents and visitors.

2015: The redevelopment of the Sagamore Mill into a mixed-use complex is completed, attracting new businesses and residents.

Fall River maintains its rich history through the preservation of mill buildings and museums.

The city has a more diversified economy, focusing on manufacturing, retail, healthcare, education, and technology.

Efforts to attract new businesses and investment continue, with a focus on leveraging the city’s historic and cultural assets.