Biddeford-Saco Mills Historic District

The historic district is a large industrial complex with more than forty brick buildings from the 19th and early 20th centuries spread along the Saco River. The buildings sit on both sides of the river and are bounded by Pearl, Lincoln, York, and Main Streets plus Gooch Street.

The area's industrial story began in 1653 when John Davis built a water-powered sawmill, establishing a foundation for later textile mills that grew rapidly starting in 1826. This transition from timber to textile manufacturing transformed both towns into regional industrial centers.

The mill buildings show how factory work shaped daily life in this area over many decades. They represent the importance of textile manufacturing to the local community and the workers who spent their days inside these structures.

The district covers a large area with many buildings, so walking through it takes time and planning to see different sections. Keep in mind that not all buildings are open to the public, as some are privately used or still undergoing restoration.

Two buildings on Saco Island, York Mills number 1 and 4, stretch over 500 feet (152 m) in length and were once among the largest cotton factories of their era. These massive structures reveal the scale and industrial power that mills could achieve.