Lewiston Mills and Water Power System Historic District, Industrial heritage district in Lewiston, United States
Lewiston Mills and Water Power System Historic District encompasses large textile mill complexes and water power systems built along the Androscoggin River. The area features red brick manufacturing buildings connected by an intricate network of canals that powered mills including Bates, Lewiston, and Continental.
The Lewiston Water Power Company founded the district in 1850, constructing power canals and cotton mills that became Maine's largest textile manufacturing center. This growth followed the Lowell system model and sustained industrial operations for more than a century.
The mills drew French Canadian workers who arrived through the Grand Trunk Station, establishing vibrant immigrant neighborhoods that shaped the area's identity for generations.
The district stretches from the great falls to Gully Brook with multiple mill buildings accessible on foot throughout the area. Wear sturdy shoes as walkways along the canals and between buildings can be uneven in places.
The district demonstrates the practical application of the Lowell system for cotton textile production with a distinctive water power infrastructure. The preserved canals and structures show specialized engineering work that shaped industrial manufacturing methods across America.
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