American Net and Twine Company Factory, historic factory in Cambridge, Massachusetts
The American Net and Twine Company Factory is a brick industrial building constructed in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1875. The three-story structure features an L-shaped footprint with large arched windows, wooden beams, a flat roof, and dormer windows in the Italianate style.
The American Net and Twine Company was founded in 1844 as the first company in the nation to manufacture fishing nets from cotton, replacing imported products from the United Kingdom. The factory building was constructed in 1875 and expanded twice between 1886 and 1916 to keep pace with growing demand.
The factory's name reflects its original purpose of making nets and twine for fishing, shipping, and agriculture. The building stands as a reminder of how this industry shaped the daily work life of the community and its economic foundation.
The building is located on Second Street in South East Cambridge between Charles and Rogers Streets, with easy access to restaurants, hotels, shops, and public transportation options. The site today houses office spaces that blend modern amenities with preserved historic character.
This was the nation's first large-scale production facility for cotton fishing nets, eliminating reliance on imports from the United Kingdom. Today, the space is home to companies such as One Laptop per Child and Disney Research, illustrating how the building transformed from net manufacturing to modern office design.
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