Overland Cotton Mill
Denver County
The 1891 building operated as Colorado’s only successful cotton mill 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.
Overland Cotton Mill
The mill also played a brief but important role in local labor history, particularly in relation to children in the work force. 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.