History:Â
Belding Smith and Company began business in 1876 and was incorporated in 1877. In 1883, this textile factory was first built, and expanded over the years. By 1920, the company was renamed Belding Corticelli Ltd.
During World War II, the company produced socks for soldiers, parachute rigging, suture thread, and thread for badges and insignias. After the war, they produced elastic bands, cords, ropes, belt fabrics, and laces.
Update:Â Part of the plant has been demolished, and the main part is being redeveloped into a hotel. Â See attached news article.
Personal Commentary:Â
This is a fascinating old building with vast amounts of floor space! Almost all of the floors are covered in hardwood, and there is room after room after room.
Not much in the way of equipment is left to really give you a sense of what the place might have been like in operation, but it was definitely worth exploring.