Rhode Island Tool Company building, building in Rhode Island, United States
The Rhode Island Tool Company building is a large brick structure in Providence composed of several connected factory buildings. The complex features four stories, tall rectangular windows, decorative brickwork, and a distinctive stair tower with a pyramidal roof.
Construction of the building began in 1853 and it initially operated under the Providence Forge & Nut Company. By the 1870s the complex employed hundreds of workers producing rifles and metal tools, continuing operations until closure in 2003.
The building's name reflects the metalworking craft tradition that was central to Providence's identity. Visitors can still see how the sturdy brick construction and tall windows shaped the working conditions for those who labored here.
The complex spans roughly five acres and offers visitors access to explore the exterior structures and grounds. Today the building operates as the West River Center housing offices and other commercial spaces that can be viewed from outside.
The building was once one of the largest rifle manufacturing facilities in the country producing Martini-Henry rifles used by Turkey. The distinctive stair tower with its pyramidal roof and ornate brick details served as an access point and vantage for overseeing the massive factory operation.
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