Pawtucket, Rhode Island, USA
1854 - Pawtucket

Pawtucket, a flourishing post-town, situated 4 miles N. N. E. from Providence, partly in Providence co., R. I., and partly in Bristol co., Mass., and on both sides of the Pawtucket river, which here falls some 50 feet in a short distance, affording an extensive hydraulic power. The first cloth manufactory operated by water-power ever established in this country was commenced at Pawtucket in 1790, and for more than 40 years it held the first rank among the manufacturing towns of New England. In 1823, the village and vicinity contained, besides numerous other manufactories, 10 cotton mills, 2 casting furnaces, 2 screw factories, 2 anchor establishments, and 6 machine shops. The manufactures at the present time are very extensive, consisting principally of cotton goods and machinery, though boots, shoes, cabinet ware, and carriages are produced to some extent. Pawtucket also has an important commerce. During the year 1852, 141 vessels arrived at its wharves, laden with coal, lumber, &c. to the amount of 12,798 tons. The village is pleasantly situated, and contains 8 or 9 churches. Among the public buildings the Masonic temple and Manchester Hall may be mentioned as good specimens of architectural beauty. Three newspapers are published here. Pawtucket has communication with Worcester by the Providence and Worcester railroad, and with Boston by the Boston and Providence railroad. The town contains 3 banks. Pop. in 1853, about 10,000.

A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

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