The Lace Mill

In 1880, eight men from England came to start a lace mill, and in 1889 the American Lace & Manufacturing Co. began. In 1918 it merged with Plymouth Mills Corp. At its peak the mill employed 1,000 people and produced some of the nation's finest quality lace curtains and tablecloths. During WWII the mill converted to war production, producing mosquito-netting, parachute fabric, herringbone twill for G.I. fatigues, gun covers, and iridescent tapes to mark mine fields. The mill was abandoned in 1954 and renovated for offices and small industry. Much of it was destroyed by fire in January 1972. After years of lying vacant, the mill was torn down, despite efforts to restore and repurpose it.

Patchogue, New York · United States