Benjamin E. Bates, a Boston entrepreneur, founded the textile mill in 1850 with several co-investors in the Bates Manufacturing Company. Maine Governor John Hubbard signed the incorporation act on August 16, 1850 and Mill #1 was completed in 1852. Bates built the mill in Lewiston due to its location at Lewiston Falls, which initially provided power to the mill. The Mill was operated by water power from the Androscoggin River, and combined power spinning and weaving on looms. The Mill produced textiles until the 21st century. During the American Civil War, the factory produced textiles for the Union Army with southern cotton it had stockpiled prior to the War. Thousands of immigrants from Canada and Europe immigrated to Lewiston to gain employment at the mills. In 1992, the City of Lewiston took possession of the Bates Mill Complex after years of unpaid taxes. In 2001 voters eventually decided in a referendum to sell the Complex to Platz Associates, private developers. Platz refurbished the buildings and sold all but two of them.

Today

Currently, the rehabilitated Bates Mill Complex is the site of TD-Banknorth (People's Heritage Bank) and Androscoggin Savings Bank offices, several restaurants, and Museum L-A: The Story of Work and Community in Lewiston-Auburn.

Source: Wikipedia