The Whittier Cotton Mills, based in Lowell, Massachusetts opened a 10,000 spindle mill on the banks of the Chattahoochee River, north and west of Atlanta, in 1896. The mill, with the surrounding company housing, was large enough to warrant incorporation as a village with postal operations. In the early years of operation, the mill and company town had railway frontage provided by the Southern Railway. The company built a company store, barber shop and a school house. They also provided medical services and day care. Later the mill built a baseball field and golf course for employee use. Between 1896 and 1926 the company was managed by members of the Whittier family. Miss Helen Whittier served as the first president of the company, while Sid Whittier, Paul Fletcher, and Walter Rufus Boyd all served in administrative positions for the mill. In 1926, the Silver Lake Company contracted to manage the Whittier Mills. Silver Lake expanded the factory with a 65,000 square foot annex, referred to as "plant #5," to the main factory. They also built an additional 120 housing units for employees. As part of the expansion plans, Silver Lake put emphasis on the production of cotton fire hose casing, in addition to the cotton braid and yarn manufactured in the old plant. At on point, the mill employed as many as 600 in the factory. The plant ceased operation on May 15, 1971.
From the description of Whittier Cotton Mills Records, 1897-1933. (Atlanta History Center). WorldCat record id: 642044480
