Overland Cotton Mill (Denver, Colorado)

 administrative building, Victorian (architecture), NRHP - National Register of Historic Places, industrial building

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Historic former cotton mill (currently the administration building for an HVAC equipment and supply company) listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).

Built: 1891
Alterations: north additions (c. 1900, 1949 & 1952)
Architectural style: Late Victorian
Areas of significance: Architecture; Industry; Maritime History
Area: 3.9 acres
Date added to NRHP: 4/3/2001
Other designations: listed on the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties
Current occupant: Hercules Industries
Notes: This building operated as Colorado’s only successful cotton mill from its construction until 1903. Utilizing load-bearing masonry walls to maximize natural illumination, its layout and fenestration typify large industrial buildings of the late 19th century. At its peak, the mill’s annual production reached 12 million yards of cloth in a variety of types and patterns. The mill also played a brief but important role in local labor history, particularly in relation to children in the work force, as the mill employed a great many children in its years of operation, for drastically low wages. Operating as a munitions factory from 1941 to 1945, the plant was so important to World War II production efforts it was immediately repaired and restored to full operational status after a devastating fire in 1942.