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The Crompton Mill has roots going back to the very dawn of Ametica's industrial revolution. It came out of one of the earliest American textile mills. Of course textiles was the first industry to be fully mechanized. At the time of the add here (figure 1), Crompton was located in Crompton/West Warwik, Rhode Island. Large numbers of Irish immmigrants settled in Crompton during the mid-19th century. As a result the city is the location of the first Catholic Church in Rhode Island--St. Mary's Church. The Irish were drawn by jobs in the mill. After the Civil War the Irish were followed in the late-19th century by many Poles and smaller numbers of Swedes. The most important business in Crompton was Crompton Mill. It was part of the early industrial developnment of the United Staes. The Crompton Mill was built in 1807. The Crompton Mill was a substantial granite building. It is notable as the first mill to produce both velvet and corduroy in the United States, althoough we are not sure whe production began. As a result, Crompton for a time was called the Velvet Village. Crompton is located in West Warwick. The Crompton Mill was awarded a golden medal at the Pan American Expedition in Buffalo, New York for making the best velvet and corduroy (1901). Atvthe time more than 50 people worked in the mill. The mill was highly mechanized. There were 30-35 machines on each floor and 3-5 floors. The Crompton Mill was called the Stone Jug Mill, a name related to an ealier historical period. The Crompton Mill was the first textile plant in the United States to make the cordury and velvet. [Lauren, Katelyn, Debra, and Brian] We are noit sure when Crompton began advertising. We note ads in the 1910s. The ad here was placed in 1919 (figure 1). We note Crompton placeing corduroy ads into the 1940s.
The Crompton Mill has roots going back to the very dawn of America's industrial revolution. It came out of one of the earliest American textile mills. Of course textiles was the first industry to be fully mechanized. The company was founded as the Providence Manufacturing Co. in West Warwick, Rhode Island (18907). Within a year their cotton mill was operating (1808). The Crompton Mill was a substantial granite building. The Crompton Mill is notable as the first textile plant in the United States to make the cordury and velvet. 【Lauren, Katelyn, Debra, and Brian】 We are not sure just when production began. As a result, Crompton for a time was called the Velvet Village.
Large numbers of Irish immmigrants settled in Crompton during the mid-19th century. As a result the city is the location of the first Catholic Church in Rhode Island--St. Mary's Church. The Irish were drawn by jobs in the mill. After the Civil War the Irish were followed in the late-19th century by many Poles and smaller numbers of Swedes. The most important business in Crompton was Crompton Mill. It was part of the early industrial developnment of the United Staes.
The comoany's name was changed to Crompton Co. (1823). It gradually expanded to include a bleachery. The comoany was engaged in calico printing (by1832). The village around the mill becam,e known as Crompton Mills, over time known as just Crompton. The owners incorporated thecomoany (1850). George Martin Richmond obtained controlling ownershipm(1866). The Richmond family would thus dominate the company. Frank Richmond was appointed the president (1866). Howard Richmond was hired treasurer. The company expanded operatioins to make corduroys and velveteens.
The Crompton Mill was awarded a golden medal at the Pan American Expedition in Buffalo, New York for making the best velvet and corduroy (1901). At the time more than 50 people worked in the mill. The mill was highly mechanized. There were 30-35 machines on each floor and 3-5 floors. The Crompton Mill was called the Stone Jug Mill, a name related to an ealier historical period. The company phased out printed cloth (1906). F.E. Richmond, Howard’s son, was treasurer and eventually president (1907-43). The company acquired the sales agency of Henry Kupfer & Co (1915). After thuis we begin to see advertising in the 1910s. The comoany changed its name to Crompton-Richmond Co. (1916). At the time of the add here (figure 1), Crompton was located in Crompton/West Warwik, Rhode Island. The company like other textile companies shifted operatios to the South. Lower cost labor was a factor. The company's first southern mill, Crompton-Highland Mills opened in Griffin, Georgia (1925). They made grey corduroy. The second mill was Crompton-Shenandoah Co. in Waynesboro, Virginia (1928). They engaged in corduroy dyeing and finishing. The compny oopen other southern plants and was a major producer of corduroy, we believe the lkargest in the United States. Corduroy before American boys began wearing denim except for overalls, was a very important fabric. Corduroy knickers were a school staple. The southerrn mills were Crompton-Arkansas Mills in Morrillton, Arkansas, the Crompton-Osceola Co. (F.E. Richmond plant) in Osceola, Arkansas, and the Howard Richmond Plant in Leesburg, Virginia. Crompton entered the factoring business (1933). They moved sales of finished goods and factoring subsidiary to New York City (1936). We note Crompton continuing to place corduroy ads into the 1940s. Crompton ceased operations (1988). 【Kheel Center】
Kheel Center. "Cornell University Guide to the Crompton Company Photograph" cornell.edu, (October 26, 2022).
Lauren, Katelyn, Debra, and Brian. "Crompton". This was a school research project by children in Crompton.
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