Foster Spinning Co.
Why it's listed
Built in 1916 on Cove Street in northern Fall River, this brick textile mill was the last new mill complex established in the city. The Foster Spinning Company was incorporated that year, backed by local Brayton interests and sited next to the large Sagamore complex, to supply fine yarn to other mills. The plant began with 13,312 spindles and grew to 25,000 by 1920. The main mill is two stories and measures 134 by 286 feet, with large 2/10 sash windows, a wide cornice on cantilever brackets, and brick piers that curve at the corners. Its piers resemble those of the 1911 Pilgrim complex, built by the same contractor, Beattie and Cornell. The boiler house, chimney and wooden storehouse also survive. The company operated until 1962, when Sagamore Manufacturing bought it. Its intact condition and its place at the end of Fall River's mill-building era led to its listing under Criteria A and C.
Significance in brief: It was the last new textile complex established in Fall River and is a largely intact example of early 20th century brick mill construction. The nomination argues it meets Criteria A and C. It was built by the contractor Beattie and Cornell, who also built the Pilgrim complex of 1911.
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 83000670, listed February 16, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Cover St., Fall River |
|---|---|
| County | Bristol County |
| Listed | February 16, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83000670 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1916-1919 |
| Architect / builder | Beattie and Cornell (contractor) |
| Architectural style | Early 20th century brick mill construction |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | All original buildings remain in place; the mill was presently used by a florist supplier at the time of the form. |
| Acreage | 3.8 |
| Coordinates | 41.72477, -71.14648 (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 83000670.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5473747
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.