The Janesville Cotton Mill
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
The Janesville Cotton Mill is a three story brick mill constructed in September of 1874 and finished in February of 1875. It was built along the Rock River to harness the power of water to turn the machines used to process cotton.
Images
The Cotton Mill as it appears today.
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
The Janesville Cotton Mill was built to serve as the workplace for the Janesville Cotton Manufacturing Company. The building was outfitted with the latest manufacturing technology in 1875. By 1880, The Cotton Mill employed about 250 people who were mostly women and first generation Irish and German immigrants. The Cotton Mill was used by various textile industries throughout the 20th century including the Janesville Shirt and Overall Company and the Janesville Apparel Company. Today, the three story building has been transformed into The Cotton Mill Apartments.