Cornell Mills
Why it's listed
Cornell Mills is a granite textile mill complex on Alden Street in Fall River, built in 1890 on the north side of the Quequechan River and clearly visible from Interstate 195. The main mill rises three stories above a basement and measures 370 by 120 feet. It is built of rough granite blocks, with finished blocks at the corners, lintels and buttresses. Six buttresses divide the main facade into regular bays, and large windows reflect the greater window-to-wall ratio of later granite mills. A bracketed cornice and low-pitched roof finish the building. The site also holds a two-story granite engine house, a brick garage, a small granite waste house, a wooden storehouse and a 160-foot brick chimney. The company was organized in 1889 and produced print cloth and odd goods. At its peak it ran 45,040 spindles and 1,114 looms, and it closed in 1930. The property is significant for its architecture and its role in Fall River's textile manufacturing.
Significance in brief: The mill is described as a substantial, well-preserved example of late 19th century granite mill architecture. It also represents Fall River's manufacturing predominance in that period. The form states that it meets criteria A and C.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 83000657, listed February 16, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Alden St., Fall River |
|---|---|
| County | Bristol County |
| Listed | February 16, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83000657 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Late 19th century granite mill architecture |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The mill closed in 1930. The form describes the buildings as well preserved. |
| Acreage | 2.5 |
| Coordinates | 41.68420, -71.13314 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 83000657.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5171543
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.