Lawrence Machine Shop, Union & Canal Streets, Lawrence, Essex County, MA

Significance: This building was built over a two year interval beginning in 1846 for the purpose of manufacturing and repairing textile machinery for the newly established mills of Lawrence. It is one of the two oldest mills in the city and one of the few stone mill buildings in the Merrimack Valley. This four story structure was constructed in 1846-1848 by the Essex Land and Water Company to manufacture and repair textile machinery for the new mills of Lawrence. Three of the floors were used for metal working and the remaining upper floor for pattern making and other woodworking. Financial difficulties forced the firm in 1852 to expand into the manufacture of heavy machinery, principally locomotives. In 1859, as a result of the Depression of 1857, the assets of the Lawrence Machine Shop Company were sold at auction to the Everett Mills who converted the building into a cotton mill of 38,000 spindles and 11,033 looms. A general line of cotton cloth was produced here until 1929. Initially, power was derived from two large water turbines in the basement, which were converted about 30 years ago into a hydro-electric installation which still operates. The building, owned by Everett Mill Properties of New York, N.Y., is now being used by a number of separate firms for light manufacturing, retail sales and warehousing. (1967)
Unprocessed Field note material exists for this structure: N190
Survey number: HABS MA-988
Building/structure dates: 1848 Initial Construction