This factory was known locally as “The Curtain Factory.” The main part of the factory was on the North side of Fourth Street West as shown in this postcard. The factory was built in an “L” shape, the short part ran along Cumberland Street going north towards Fifth Street. The Cumberland wing was not very long but had loading docks etc. P&A made curtains, but also manufactured cotton weaves with yarn from the local cotton mills.

Memory Shared: Ray Amell says, “I recall bins full of old bobbins lying around outside. We used to steal them and make horns out of them.”

Note the ventilation windows on the roof, they are similar to the ones on the old Canada Cottons Building in the East End.

Factory History: Thirty-year-old Joseph William “Bill” Powdrell arrived in Danielson, Connecticut, in February 1918 and announced to the local Chamber of Commerce that he would revitalize three large weaving mills in the community. With a start of 10 employees and a budget of $50,000 annually, the business grew to 2,000 employees and a budget of millions. John Studley Alexander was Vice-President of the company. Cornwall, home to three weaving mills, was a perfect choice for a Powdrell and Alexander plant in Canada.