American Optical Company Historic District
The former Main Works of the American Optical Company
American Optical Company Historic District is located in Massachusetts
American Optical Company Historic District
American Optical Company Historic District is located in the United States
American Optical Company Historic District
LocationOptical Dr., Mechanic, Case, Cabot, Charlton, Main, and Wells Sts., Southbridge, Massachusetts
Coordinates42°4′29″N 72°1′24″W / 42.07472°N 72.02333°W / 42.07472; -72.02333
Area80 acres (32 ha)
Built1888
NRHP reference No.100008957
Added to NRHPMay 3, 2023

The American Optical Company Historic District encompasses a historic industrial complex on the Quinebaug River in Southbridge, Massachusetts. Located on roughly 80 acres (32 ha) east of downtown Southbridge, the complex was developed between the 1880s and 1950s by the American Optical Company (AO), one of the largest manufacturers of eyewear at the turn of the 20th century. The district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2023.[1]

Description and history

The American Optical Company was founded in Southbridge in 1869, by the merger of several other lens manufacturers whose origins in the town dated back to the 1830s. The company was at first located on East Main Street, but it soon relocated to Mechanic Street, where one of its largest surviving plant buildings still stands. Over the next century the company expanded greatly, occupying land on both sides of the Quinebaug River. By the early 20th century, it was the world's largest manufacturer of eyewear, with multiple manufacturing facilities and an international sales force. Although the company's independent existence ended in 1967, portions of its manufacturing facilities continue to be used by successors for glass-related manufacturing.[2]

The company's facilities sprawl across about 80 acres (32 ha), occupying land on both sides of the Quinebaug River and an on island in the river. The former main plant, dating to the early 20th century, is located on Mechanic Street on the river's south bank, and was designed by Earle & Fuller. Now housing a hotel and conference center, this large brick building has fine Romanesque styling. Later buildings of the complex are generally concrete construction, with the lens plant specifically sited and designed to minimize the intrusion of dust into the glass manufacturing processes.[2]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "WEEKLY LIST OF ACTIONS TAKEN ON PROPERTIES: 4/28/2023 THROUGH 5/5/2023". National Park Service. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  2. 1 2 "MACRIS inventory record for American Optical Company Historic District". Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved May 29, 2023.

Media related to American Optical Company complex at Wikimedia Commons

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.