When it was first established under the guise of the Hadley Falls Company, the city of Holyoke, Massachusetts was conceived as a production center for textiles. Despite protests of the company during the formation of the Parsons Paper Company, that a pulp and paper venture was a poor use of space and unprofitable, by 1885 the city was the largest producer of paper goods in the United States.[1] Before 1920 the city was the home to numerous paper mills, producing 80% of the writing paper used in the United States, as well as having the largest silk, and alpaca wool mills in the world.[2][3] The city was also home to the largest paper millwright firm in the United States, D. H. & A. B. Tower, which would design at least 25 such mills in Holyoke alone.[4] While many were lost to fire, redevelopment, and salvaging, today a number of mills have been redeveloped. Despite determinations of eligibility by the Massachusetts Historical Commission as part of the Holyoke Canal System,[5] as of 2025, no mill properties in the city had been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[6]
Designed by Ashley B. Tower. Partially razed by fire, power turbine house still operates for Holyoke Gas & Electric. Most recently occupied by The Canal Gallery.
Part of the American Thread Company,[9] later used by Clinton Silk Mills after 1933, produced silk goods for the Allies during World War II, looms sold to Bedford Weaving in Virginia. Building used by Hadley Printing since 1976.[10]
Originally the Holyoke Water Power Company Building, constructed for start-up companies, massive fire in 1890, towers since-removed. Produced fine writing paper, became part of American Writing Paper Company system. Was also music plant of Thaddeus Cahill's telharmonium.[12] Part of present-day manufacturing plant of FLN-Mar Rubber & Plastics.
8
D. MacKintosh & Sons/The Wherehouse
109 Lyman Street
Originally a cotton mill, it was later used as a factory by Jim Prentice and The Electric Game Company.[13] Today used by The Wherehouse and partially extant section for shops/storage.
9
Eureka Blank Book
1890, 1910
108–110 Winter Street
110 Winter Street built in 1890, expanded into 108 Winter in 1910. Used by a builder, now known as Eureka Lab Book, until 2017; presently owned by a holding company.[14][15]
Originally a Newton Bros. development, now home to United Paper Box (Uni-Pac).
13
General Electric Building
c. 1930
60 Jackson Street
Initially developed by Farr Alpaca as a mill and offices (unknown building number), and retail shop. Acquired by General Electric as wire production line after 1939 liquidation, Northeast Wire by 1966, presently used by G & G Restaurant Equipment.[19]
14
George R. Dickinson Company
1882
81 Sargeant Street
Design by D. H. & A. B. Tower. Part of present-day manufacturing plant of FLN-Mar Rubber & Plastics.
15
Goetz Silk Mill
1911, 1919
642 South Summer Street
Built by Casper Ranger Construction Co., announced in 1909, delays from carpenters strike; expansion engineered by Charles T. Main. Original building adjacent to Jackson Street, expansion adjacent to South Summer. Today used by Valley Green, Inc., a seed company.[20]
Part of the American Thread Company, later used by Graham Manufacturing, Conklin Office Furniture; purchased in June 2019 by Trulieve Cannabis Corporation.[22]
17
Hampden Glazed Paper and Card Company
1882
100 Water Street
Design by D. H. & A. B. Tower, was last Holyoke mill still in use by the founding business, the Hampden Paper Company, until September 2020.
Founded by the B. F. Perkins Company in 1899 as Japanese Tissue Mills.[24] Later known as the American Tissue Mills after 1920; company defunct about 1953 at which time mill was paper converting plant, now used as warehouse.[25]
19
Judd Paper Company
1923
92 Race Street
Designed by George P. B. Alderman, originally home of paper converter. Redeveloped in 2012 as entertainment venue, restaurant, and coworkshop, Gateway City Arts.
20
Livingston Worsted Mills
1934
11 Berkshire Street
Built for consolidation of Germania Mills' worsted wool division move from Rhode Island. Germania name was dropped around time of building's construction as spinning division was liquidated.[26] Following closure of Livingston, briefly used by Kruger Tissue Paper following Livingston's closure, 1964-1966.[27] Today known as the SulCo Warehouse Building.
Also known as Massasoit Division of American Writing Paper Company. Westerly wings razed after 1957; restored in 2019 for retail use by Canna Provisions.[31]
23
Merrick Thread Mill, No. 2
195 Appleton Street
Partial mill and office; half of complex burned down in October 1993.
24
Newton Paper Company Mill
200 South Water Street
Newton Bros. development; partially extant, heavily altered as Sonoco paper recycling plant
Originally built by the George W. Prentiss Wire Company with back 4-story section appearing on maps in 1911;[9] 5-story front built in 1917.[32] Prentiss built new facility in Homestead Avenue in 1962,[33] by 1965 was occupied by Holyoke Die Cut Card Co. which owned the building until 2001.[34][35]
27
RenCo Building
1920
728 Main Street
Built about 1920 by the New England Tire & Rubber Company,[36] and bought out by Reynolds Manufacturing Co. (RenCo.) in 1928, a converter and producer of notebooks and steno pads.[37][38] Sold by RenCo in 1994 and subdivided, acquired by Holyoke Public Schools for supplies and office use in 2007.
Newton Bros. development, subsequently part of American Writing Paper Company system; presently used by Holyoke Creative Arts Center, and as workshops.
31
Whiting Paper No. 1
28 Gatehouse Road
Partially extant, part of series of 3 original mills used by Whiting Paper. Now owned by James Curran and the Wherehouse.
Built as the eastern manufacturing branch of the Baker-Vawter Company, a loose-leaf binding and systems company, later used by Pratt & Austin and numerous other businesses.[41]
Operated under a different name for first two years, name dropped in 1934 as spinning and combing division was liquidated,[26] weaving and finishing continued at Livingston Worsted Mills until business closed altogether in 1965.[43]
7
Holyoke Envelope Company
c. 1889
After 1957
Water Street and Main Street
After 1898 referred to as the United States Envelope Company, Holyoke Division. Later home of Polep Brothers.
Sold to A.T. Stewart & Co. of New York in 1870, and then Connor Brothers before 1883, which operated until a 1901 bankruptcy.[50] Holyoke Plush Company operated out of there by 1911.
12
Old Smith Cotton Mill
c. 1820
Before 1884
Gatehouse and Hadley Mill Road
Initially a wool fulling mill built by Chapin family, converted to cotton mill by Edward Smith.[51] Replaced by expansion of Parsons No. 1.[52]: 55
^ ab"Who's Who in the Silk Industry–William Skinner". Silk. Vol. XV, no. 3. Silk Publishing Company. March 1922. p. 44. One building alone is 1000 feet long—the largest silk mill, under one roof, in the world
^"Emory Alexander Ellsworth". Journal of the Boston Society of Civil Engineers. III (8): 480. October 1916. In 1879 Mr. Ellsworth left the firm of Davis & Ellsworth to become principal assistant and head draftsman for D. H. & A. B. Tower, of Holyoke, who were the largest firm of paper mill architects in the country at that time, and who designed no less than twenty paper mills in the city of Holyoke alone
^HLY.W - The Flats/South Holyoke (Report). Massachusetts Historical Commission. p. 3 – via Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System (MACRIS). The Holyoke Canal System National Register district should be expanded to include buildings within The Flats and South Holyoke that relate to the canal and industrial history of the area. The expanded district meets Criteria A and C for listing on the Register and areas of significance include architecture, community planning and development, and industry
^"HLY.62" – via Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System (MACRIS).
^"Railroad Agreeable to the Plan; Grants Farr Alpaca company Rights to Building of Retaining wall". Springfield Daily News. Springfield, Mass. October 6, 1922. p. 21. The land is needed for the construction of the wall as a part of the work in erection of the new factory now being built by the Farr Alpaca company.
"Berkshire Associates Said Eyeing Farr Plant; Big Corporation Unofficially Reported Negotiating for Cotton Division". Springfield Republican. Springfield, Mass. August 5, 1939. p. 8.
^ abcdRichards, Harold H (1911). Richards Standard Atlas of the City of Holyoke, Massachusetts. Springfield, Mass.: Richards Map Company.
^"HLY.5" – via Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System (MACRIS).
^"HLY.73" – via Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System (MACRIS).
^"HLY.1451" – via Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System (MACRIS).
^"HLY.74" – via Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System (MACRIS).
^"HLY.22" – via Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System (MACRIS).
^"[Advertisement for Fabric Specialty Co.]". Springfield Republican. Springfield, Mass. October 22, 1939. p. 39. Notice! The Farr Alpaca Co. has leased the store and fixtures to the Fabric Specialty Co... under the management of Miss L. Mittler (former mgr. of Farr Store)
"Wire Firm Gets Building Permit". Springfield Union. Springfield, Mass. June 30, 1966. p. 66.
"[Wanted Ad for General Electric Co.]". Springfield Republican. Springfield, Mass. March 27, 1946. p. 17.
"Massachusetts, Holyoke". The American Architect. Vol. XCVI. November 17, 1909. p. 10. Goetz Silk Company will erect mill on South Canal Street
"Clatter of the Looms". Silk. New York: McCready Publishing Company. 1910. p. 77. Ground has been broken for the new mill structure which is to be erected for the Goetz Silk Mfg. Co., Holyoke, Mass. The building which it is expected will be finished in about three months, will be 250 x 50 feet, three stories in height, and will house the entire interests of the concern.
"Mill News--Continued". Textile World Journal. March 29, 1919. p. 55. Holyoke, Mass. Plans have been filed for a new mill building to cost approximately $100,000 for the Goetz Silk Manufacturing Co. The building will be a two-story mill adjacent to their plant at Jackson and South Summer streets. The building will have a frontage of 56 feet and will be 147 feet deep. It is to be a throwing mill. Bids have been asked for and contracts will be awarded shortly. Charles T. Main is the mill engineer in charge.
"Holyoke". Springfield Republican. Springfield, Mass. April 20, 1911. p. 16. The mill building in Holyoke which early in the year looked as if it would be noticeable by its absence is beginning to come forward and already Contractor Casper Ranger has secured contracts for over $200,000 in this line of building in Holyoke. The new Skinner silk mill, the Goetz silk mill and the new power plant for the Crock division of the American writing paper company...
"All Holyoke Carpenters Out; Big Building Projects Seriously Hampered". Springfield Union. Springfield, Mass. May 18, 1911. p. 12. It was said also on the best of authority that the construction of the new Goetz Silk mill in South Holyoke...will be delayed indefinitely
^"HLY.6" – via Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System (MACRIS).
^"Benjamin F. Perkins Dies After an Operation". Springfield Republican. Springfield, Mass. October 26, 1900. p. 4. The firm began on Railroad street, where it increased till last year, when it was compelled to seek new quarters. The firm had just settled in its new mill on Crescent street.
^"To Make Japanese Napkins". Springfield Republican. Springfield, Mass. August 14, 1899. p. 6. The firm of B. F. Perkins & Co. which bought the Pearl City paper mill at South Hadley a few months ago, has been running since January 1 on Japanese paper napkins. The success of in this line has been so encouraging that a company has been formed under the name of the Japanese tissue mills, to continue this line of manufacture. The new company is capitalized at $27,000 and has a capacity of 200,000 napkins a day, with a force of 8 or 10 men employed. The company will make a specialty of napkins in which the designs are flowers instead of figures, and the coloring is more brilliant and attractive. The company is the first one to be incorporated in the East, most of the companies making this class of goods being located in the West.
^"Reorganization of Holyoke Co. in Court Today; Trustee to Submit Proposal Turning Tissue Mills Over to Worcester Interests". Springfield Union. Springfield, Mass. November 30, 1953. p. 5.
^ ab"Employment for 150 Expected by Spring; Germania Mills Will Bring Livingston Division From R. I. to Holyoke". Springfield Republican. Springfield, Mass. January 17, 1934. p. 11.
^"Kruger Mills Notifies Help of Shutdown". Springfield Union. Springfield, Mass. March 30, 1966. p. 53.
^"Prentiss Wire Dedicates New Plant Facility; Is First Firm to Locate in Industry Park at Homestead Ave". Springfield Union. Springfield, Mass. November 9, 1962. p. 46.
^"Experienced printing pressman". Springfield Union. Springfield, Mass. April 7, 1963. p. 75. Holyoke Die Cut Card Co., 541 Main St., Holyoke
"Experienced Die Cutting Pressman". Springfield Union. Springfield, Mass. April 30, 1965. p. 46. Holyoke Die Cut Card Co. Inc. 439 Dwight St., Holyoke
^"New England". The Iron Age. New York. July 29, 1920. p. 305.
^Johnson, Clifton (ed.). "Wellington George Reynolds". Hampden County, 1636-1936 - Individual and Family Records. Vol. III. p. 151.
^"Reynolds, Wellington George". The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography. J. T. White. 1944. p. 200. Reynolds entered business for himself in Holyoke in 1922, purchasing the business of M. J. Losty & Sons, school supplies manufacturers...
Gerhard Wiesinger (2004). "Translating Gymnastics Into Economic and Political Power: The Rise and Decline of the German Turnverein in Holyoke, Massachusetts, 1871–1910". In Annette R. Hofmann (ed.). Turnen and Sport. New York, München, Berlin: Waxmann Münster. pp. 121–146.
"Worsted Plant In Holyoke to End Operations; Livingston Mills Head Attributes Closing to Japanese Imports". Springfield Union. Springfield, Mass. August 28, 1964. p. 5.
^Massachusetts Reports: Decisions of the Supreme Judicial Court. Vol. CXCIII. 1907. pp. 31–33. From a date earleir than October 12, 1883, to June 18, 1901, James Connor of Holyoke was engaged in the manufacture of woollen cloth and shoddy in two mills in that city known as the New York Mill and the Bigelow Street Mill...Connor continued to use the property as such lessee until his bankruptcy in 1901.
"HLY.12" – via Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System (MACRIS).
"Holyoke Notes; The Water-Power—Musical Matters—The New Buildings—The Syms & Dudley Paper Company—The Agricultural Fair". Springfield Republican. Springfield, Mass. September 12, 1880. p. 3.
^"Eighth Holyoke Arson Victim Near Death; Hunt Continues". Boston Herald. Boston. November 16, 1964. p. 3. An abandoned five-story once owned by the Whiting Paper Co., burned practically to the ground early this year, causing an estimated $250,000 damage
^"Paper Mill Building, and Paper Mill Designers, Architects, and Builders". The Paper World. Vol. XXIV, no. 3. Springfield, Mass. March 1892. pp. 1–4.
^"HLY.13" – via Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System (MACRIS).