At the turn of the century, the city's first textile mill was still flourishing. It was so financially strong, the Lippit Family decided to merge their holdings in the Manville Company with the Social Manufacturing Company in 1900. 1904 saw significant additions to the mill's weave shed, making it the largest in the United States. Production for the First World War was also a boon for both mill owners and employees, who saw increases in their earnings. However, things changed quickly when the war ended.
Government orders and export opportunities ceased, resulting in a significant contraction in the market. As prices dropped, northern manufacturers could no longer compete with lower cost southern manufacturers. As the rest of the economy boomed, the cotton industry in the northeast collapsed.
In the fall of 1926, management at the Social Mill called for layoffs and wage cuts. In response, employees staged a walkout demanding higher wages, shorter hours and reduced production. In February 1927, management demanded an increase in the workweek from 48 hours to 56 hours. Workers walked out again. Community leaders attempted to negotiate a solution, but both sides refused to compromise. In August 1927, the Social Mill closed permanently, putting 1,000 employees out of work.
While some equipment was moved south, most of the machinery from the Social Mill was transferred to mills in Manville, Pawtucket and Central Falls. Efforts to sell the property failed, and the mill complex was razed in 1932.
<i>Images courtesy of the Woonsocket Historical Society (A & B) and the Kheel Center at Cornell University (C)</i>
