Harmony Mills

Harmony Mills is a factory complex in Cohoes that stretches over 1,100 feet along the Mohawk River, featuring large windows and detailed brick architecture from the 1800s. The structures display the typical features of textile manufacturing from that era with massive stone walls and functional design.

The facility began operations in the 1860s and became one of the largest cotton weaving operations in America before later declining. The complex reflects the rapid industrialization of the north and was shaped by the economic upheavals of the late 1800s.

The workforce was made up largely of immigrant families who organized into unions and staged major labor actions during the 1880s.

The site is now a vibrant residential neighborhood with apartments and retail spaces housed within the former production halls. Visitors can explore the exterior and surroundings freely and observe how the industrial space has been converted into modern living areas.

During excavation for the building foundation, workers discovered a complete skeleton of a prehistoric mastodon, earning the site the nickname 'Mastodon Mill.' This unexpected discovery connects the location to a far more ancient past than its industrial use.