Central Village Historic District, Historic mill district in Plainfield, Connecticut.
Central Village Historic District is a former mill and textile center in Connecticut with original factory buildings, worker housing, and substantial residences from the 1800s. The structures cluster around the intersection of Routes 12 and 14 and still display the original layout of an industrial settlement.
A cotton mill established in 1814 transformed the area from farmland into an industrial center and brought workers to settle here. The village held its importance as a production site through the early 1900s, after which newer mills elsewhere caused production to decline.
The district's name reflects how workers and prosperous families lived side by side, showing the tight connection between mill operations and community life. The buildings that remain still show how closely industry and daily life were woven together.
Visitors can view all structures from public roads since the district is compactly laid out along the two main streets. Walking is best to fully appreciate the architectural details and how the mill buildings relate to the housing around them.
Underground remains of old mill infrastructure are still preserved in the soil, helping visitors understand the hidden world of factory production. The separately registered Plainfield Woolen Company Mill shows especially well how water power was harnessed to run the machines.
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