[wzslider interval=”5000″ height=”800″ info=”true” lightbox=”true”]North Smithfield RI, located on the Branch River, pop. about 12,000 is home to the villages of Slatersville and Forestdale. Best known as the location of the first planned industrial village in America.
John and Samuel Slater purchased land, circa 1803, with the intent of building a self sustained community whose economy was driven chiefly by textile mills. Most of the mills have been demolished but still standing is the Slatersville Cotton Mill, circa 1826. Although falling into decline, in 2011 it was fully restored and, present day, serves as an apartment complex.
Slatersville Mill utilized the Branch River for power and transportation but ultimately the railroad became the chief mode of delivering and receiving goods. The infrastructure of the village grew fairly rapidly. Employee housing, all within walking distance of the mill, sprang up. In addition the growth included a post office, company shop, grocery store, church, trolley cars and many of the necessary elements of a community. I found it interesting that the Forestdale Post Office is still in use today even though it’s about 1/4 mile down the street from a more modern Slatersville Post Office.
This industrial village was a success and saw many local residents work there for 40+ years. In addition this model was copied throughout RI, New England and perhaps the northeast seaboard.
A thorough and exhaustive history of Slatersville will be showcased in a documentary film that’s been worked on in recent years. For information go here: SLATERSVILLE DOCUMENTARY.
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