Here stands the Saco-Lowell Shops Housing Historic District. It whispers tales of industry and reform. This district in Newton, Massachusetts, isn’t just a collection of buildings. It’s a window into a pivotal era of American manufacturing.
The Saco-Lowell Shops Housing Historic District is the only 20th-century factory worker housing area in Newton. Imagine the hustle and bustle around here back in the day. It’s near the Saco-Pettee Machine Shops in Newton Upper Falls. The district was specifically created to house employees of those machine shops.
Look around. The district is marked by Oak, Williams, Butts, and Saco Streets. Notice the eight brick houses? They show Colonial Revival styling. These weren’t just thrown up haphazardly. They were thoughtfully designed. The houses were built in 1919 and 1920. They sit alongside older worker houses from the 1890s. This combination tells a story of changing times and evolving needs. The Saco-Lowell Shops Housing Historic District earned its place on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.
Let’s step back a bit to understand the bigger picture. The Saco-Pettee Machine Shops complex was located on the north side of Oak Street. Think of this area as the heart of industry. Founded in 1830, it became the city’s largest employer by the late 19th century. The shops made equipment for textile mills. As part of a reform movement to improve factory conditions, the company decided to build worker housing across Oak Street.
A plan was drafted in 1919. The goal was to construct eight houses within the existing cluster on Williams, Butts, and Saco Streets. The existing houses were mainly wood-frame and built in the 1890s. These were constructed by different people.
Now, take a closer look at the houses built by the company. They are one and two-family brick buildings. Each has unique takes on the Colonial Revival style. For example, 41 Butts Street is a typical single-family house. It has two stories and a saltbox profile. Five other houses share similar designs. Their roof lines are a little different.
The houses at 4-6 Saco Street and 135-139 Oak Street stand out. They were designed as multi-family residences. Notice the gable sections set at right angles? Also, see the distinct Greek Revival trim? These details add architectural interest and reflect different styles.
The Saco-Lowell Shops themselves have a rich history. They were a major textile machine manufacturer in the United States. The company formed in 1912. It was a merger of the Lowell Machine Shop and the Saco-Pettee Machine Company. In the 1920s, Saco-Lowell had facilities in Lowell and Newton, Massachusetts, and Biddeford, Maine. Their main office was in Boston. They even had an office in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Saco-Lowell was a major player in the textile machinery world. They were one of the “big three” in New England. Along with Whitin Machine Works and Draper Corporation. While cotton machinery was their bread and butter, they also made machines for the woolen and silk industries.
However, by 1932, the plant in Newton Upper Falls closed. Today, the Saco-Lowell Shops Housing Historic District remains. It is a reminder of the past. It shows the lives of factory workers and the evolution of industry in Newton. As we leave, consider the legacy of these homes. They stand as a testament to a time when industry shaped communities.