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Western Knitting Mills

Oakland County · dedicated 2003 · 400 Water Street, Rochester

Paint Creek and the Clinton River provided power for the first woolen mill on this site in 1844. Constructed in 1896, the Western Knitting Mills building was supported by a yarn mill, dormitories and two warehouses. One of the area’s largest employers, the mill produced wool socks, gloves and mittens (1896-1916), wool cloth (1916-1927), and khaki gloves for World War I soldiers. Knitting ceased at this site in 1939.

Barry Lawrence Ruderman Map Collection, Stanford Libraries

Marker data: Michigan History Center

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