Crompton Loom Works, Worcester

The Crompton Loom Works is a historically significant industrial complex originally established in 1860 by George Crompton. As one of the oldest surviving industrial sites in the city, the Crompton Loom Works played a pivotal role in the manufacture of looms for textile factories, continuing the legacy of George’s father, William Crompton, who invented the first power loom for weaving fancy fabrics. The facility on Green Street boasted a range of capabilities, including machining, drop hammer forging, a cast iron foundry for ductile and malleable iron castings, woodworking, pattern making, and a materials testing lab.

Architecturally, the Crompton Loom Works complex is an exemplar of industrial Italianate style. It comprises connected brick buildings ranging from one to three stories in height, featuring quoined corners and corbelling on the eave of the main tower. The windows are primarily rectangular, with some older sections displaying round-arch openings. Originally, the main building was two stories tall; subsequent alterations in the 1880s included the addition of a third floor and the main tower.

The significance of the Crompton Loom Works extends beyond its architectural and industrial contributions. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1980 and became part of the Blackstone Canal Historic District in 1995.