Industry in North Adams developed with textiles in the late 1700s and into the early 1800s. Many mills were built along the northern branch of the Hoosic River between 1830 and 1845. Mills from the Blackinton District to the other side of town (present day Beaver Street) were built along the river and North Adams was booming. With the completion of the Hoosac Tunnel in 1875, North Adams was set to be one of the biggest industrial communities in the Berkshires. There were shoe mills, textile mills, brick yards, saw mils, iron works, cabinet makers, hat manufactures, wagon and sleigh mills, and even mills that made machines for other mills. North Adams was the center of industry and it attracted attention, many people immigrated to North Adams to find employment and others to start a new life. North Adams Manufacturing Companies offered many new opportunities and many mills and new businesses were created. North Adams became one of the largest industrial powers in the Berkshires.
