The Merrimack River had many mills primarily during the 19th century, especially from the 1820s to the early 1900s. This period marked the rise of New England's textile industry, and the Merrimack River became a central hub due to its strong current, which provided ideal water power for factories.

Key Points:

• 1820s–1850s: Major mill cities like Lowell and Lawrence, Massachusetts were developed specifically as industrial towns along the Merrimack River.

• Lowell, MA: Often considered the cradle of the American Industrial Revolution, it was one of the first planned industrial cities, starting with the Merrimack Manufacturing Company in 1823.

• Lawrence, MA: Founded in the 1840s, it quickly became a textile powerhouse with massive mills like the Pacific Mills and American Woolen Company.

• Peak Period: The late 19th century saw the height of mill activity, with thousands of workers—many of them immigrants—employed in textile production.

By the mid-20th century, many of these mills declined or closed due to shifts in industry and competition from the South and overseas.

Yes, the mills on the Blackstone River were established before those on the Merrimack River and played a crucial role in launching the American Industrial Revolution.

Key Facts:

• Slater Mill (Pawtucket, Rhode Island):

  • Established in 1793 by Samuel Slater, it is widely recognized as the first successful water-powered textile mill in the United States.

  • Located on the Blackstone River, it marked the beginning of industrialization in America.

• The Blackstone River Valley (stretching from Worcester, MA to Providence, RI) became a corridor of early mills in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, especially between 1790 and 1830.

• These early mills were smaller and more decentralized compared to the larger, more organized mill complexes that would later emerge along the Merrimack River in cities like Lowell (starting in the 1820s).

Summary:

• Blackstone River mills: Started in 1790s, including Slater Mill—the first.

• Merrimack River mills: Began in 1820s, more planned and large-scale (e.g., Lowell and Lawrence).

So yes, the Blackstone River mills preceded the Merrimack River mills and laid the foundation for America's industrial growth.