Cummings Shoe Factory - South Berwick, Maine
Posted by: 
BruceS
N 43° 14.218 W 070° 48.580
19T E 353063 N 4788719
Historic former shoe factory in South Berwick, Maine.
Waymark Code: WM4T6A
Location: Maine, United States
Date Posted: 09/26/2008
Views: 13
The Cummings Shoe Factory was constructed in 1872 by David Cummings. The company also constructed housing nearby for its mill workers. The factory was a state of the art factory at the time of its construction using steam engines generated by coal and waste chips instead of water power which was used by the textile mills in town. The mill eventually employing 350 workers and making 5000 pairs of shoes per day. After David Cummings death the factory was run by his nephew William I. “Willie” Cummings. During the Great Depression the factory faltered. In 1932 it was taken over and renamed South Berwick Shoe, Inc.. William died at the factory in 1946. The mill continued to produce shoes under various names the last being Duchess Shoe Company until the early 1990's. In 1995 the city of South Berwick purchased the property and it has been converted to an apartment house with 1 and 2 bedroom apartments.
The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Year built?: 1872
Is the mill or gin still in operation?: No
What is or was processed here?: Leather into Shoes
Are tours available?: None offered, view from the outside only.
How is or was it powered?: Coal
Related link to this waymark.: [Web Link]
What is it used as today?: Not listed
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