Current Events

Atlantic Mills, known by its twin striped towers, though crumbling, is still in use today as a space for retail, manufacturing, and studios. Anyone interested in renting should call Howard Brynes at 274-0060. Work spaces only.

Bonus

LISTEN: to a radio interview with Rick Greenwood, produced and recorded by Robin Amer. Reconstructing Providence: Atlantic mills Tour (6:52, 6.2MB)

History

The first mill of the Atlantic Delaine company was built in 1851 by C.T. James to manufacture delaine; only the first floor of this mill now survives as a supermarket. In 1863 the company built an impressive 3-story, brick, pier-and-spandrel mill structure with an unusual round-domed tower surmounted by a glazed lantern, immediately west of the 1851 mill. Built as a worsted mill, the 1863 mill contained worsted rooms, warping rooms, and dressing rooms. The brick gasometer on Aleppo Street still survives, although its original dome and lantern have been removed.

These structures were designed by Clifton Hall. In 1882 an addition to the mill was constructed with an identical tower, further west (in the pictures, this means the tower on the left is the first, and the one to the right, missing its lantern, is the more recent addition). Other buildings in the complex include an 1871 4-story brick mill used for dying and finishing, an 1893 3-story worsted mill, an 1899 brick office building, and an 1899 4-story brick mill with arched windows and granite sills. By 1872, the company had built 57 worker’s complexes with 163 apartments.

In 1865 the Atlantic Delaine Co. was known for its fine alpacas, rivaled only by the Pacific Mill in Lawrence, Mass. The company went bankrupt in the panic of 1873, and in 1879, the land and machines were sold at auction. The new owners incorporated as the Atlantic Mills. By the late 1880s, the mill was once again on top, the largest operation in Providence, producing worsted and cotton fabrics, and employing 2100 workers. In 1903 the mill began manufacturing khaki for uniforms. The A.D. Julliard company bought the mill in 1904 and operated for the next fifty years. The company went out of business in 1953, and sold its property.

Anecdotes

erica brynes June 12 2008 leo brynes was my great-uncle. i spent many, many, sundays at atlantic mills as a child in the late 70’s and early 80’s working at the “big top flea market” with my grandfather (leo’s brother, charles brynes). i learned most of my basic entrepeneurial skills selling shoelaces and assorted junk there! once i got old enough, my great-aunt ethel and my cousin ellie would let me work in the snack bar and make popcorn in the old-school popper. i loved that place.

Susan Polouski Apr 1 2008 My grandmother worked as a janitor at the mills in the 1930s. The family lived on Manton Ave and went to St Theresa’s. My Dad tells many stories of growing up in Olneyville.

Barry 03-02-2008 I remember the “Altlantic Mills” being a department store in the 60’s and early 70&rsquos. It was so popular that people of my generation grew up calling all department stores a “Mill”. There was a pretty good fire (I believe) and the building was closed for quite a period until finally re-opening as “The Big Top” flea market. My mother rented a booth there once so to allow our junk to become someone elses treasure. I had a dresser full of comic books that I unloaded that day. I was fourteen years old and walked away from the Atlantic Mill’s Big Top Flea Market with over two hundred dollars in my pocket. It was a good day!

Nanette Spector  After doing some family historical research, I understand that my great-grandfather, William Jacobs was the overseer of Atlantic Mills from at least 1900-1905. He and my great-grandmother had immigrated from England and settled in Providence. I live in LV, far from New England, but still have family in Green Hill Beach, RI.

matthew brynes  I am the grandson of the owner of atlantic mills and my family has been owning it and in the buisness since the early 1900s by Leo brynes passed down to libby brynes my great grandmother and great grandfather i hope it still lives on with my grandfather

K Corley  I found that my great grandfather worked at Atlantic Mills in the 1910s and 1920s. Eventually, more members of his family started working there, too. He was an Italian immigrant named Vincenzo Forte.

Val Hughes  Doing genealogy research I discovered my Great Grandfather was working at Atlantic Mills in 1919. I suspect he started about 1913 when he arrived here from France. I don’t know how long he worked there. His name was Edouard Bels.

Joe Masterson  My Father & Grandfather both worked there thru the 20, 30. & 40ths. I grew up in St. Teresas school area. Manton Ave. was part of our lives as was Marino Park. Its a shame how the area has gone down.

alisa (d’attilio) cossette  I’m doing geneology on my great-grandfather who I worked there i believe 1920’s 30’s. His name was Chicerio (Charles) D’Attilio. While employed there we do know he lost a couple of his fingers in some sort of accident.

L Rosenberg  The Atlantic Mills was purchased by Leo Brynes and is now owned by Libby L. Brynes of Boynton Beach FL. Howard Brynes is currently running the facility. FYI – The taxes on the building are 60K+ a year. Although there have been improvements to the building it is overwhelmed by the degradation of the architecture due to age. Next project will be a huge iron fence surrounding the parking lot, that will be electronically operated to keep the riff raff out.

patti provau  I grew up on sheridan street, which is right up the road from alantic mills. as a kid around 1960 my mom would pack us on the sled and we would walk to the mill. I can remeber seeing santa there also.

Add your Anecdotes

The information about each building grows as visitors let us know about their experiences. Did you or a member of your family work here? Did you grow up near it as a child? Let us know. All entries will be moderated and may be posted in an edited form. We will use your name unless you tell us otherwise. We will not make your email public.