The trail segment traverses the heart of Keene's post Civil War industrial activity. Some industries still present, such as J.A. Wright & Co., date many years back in Keene's history. Many of the buildings along the trail date to the 1800's and have an industrial origin, and they have housed a succession of industrial and manufacturing enterprises. The diverse products manufactured here included woolens, bicycles, shoes, furniture, automobiles, and silverware. Some of the buildings now contain modern industrial facilities, and creative redevelopment of these historical structures has diversified their uses to include housing, retail sales, recreation, and office facilities.