Old Plympton Cotton Factory

34 Winnetuxet Rd, Plympton, MA 02367, USA

Owned By: Town of Plympton

• Directions

This scenic and historic spot on the Winnetuxet River offers a picnic area, short trails, and water views.

It’s important to know that some of our freshwater fisheries are contaminated with mercury, PFAS and/or other concerning substances. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health maintains an online database with up-to-date advisories regarding fish consumption, sorted by location. We recommend you consult this valuable resource when planning a fishing excursion.

Features

According to interpretive signage on site, cotton goods were manufactured at this spot from 1812 to 1926. John Avery Parker established the largest of the area’s several mills. There were also tenement buildings for the workers, and a store. Down the river at various times were 3 grist mills, 2 sawmills, a fulling mill, a slitting mill, a shovel factory, a nail factory, two thread mills and a cheese factory.

After the mill closed, the Town of Plympton purchased the property for recreation. In the 1950’s, citizens, along with the Army Corps of Engineers, established the Winnetuxet Swimming hole here. The area is no longer suitable for swimming, but it’s a nice spot for fishing, or a picnic, or to admire the view.

This land is within the region of the Wampanoag tribe.

Trail Description

There is a short (0.1 mile) trail that crosses the Winnetuxet River and turns into the woods. Another short trail extends for the same distance along two sides of a small pond.

Habitats and Wildlife

This grassy property features streams, a small pond, and views of the Winnetuxet River. There are red maple, black gum, pine and oak trees as well. Mass Wildlife stocks the river with brown trout.

According to the 2016 Plympton Open Space and Recreation plan, the pond is an impounded diversion of the Winnetuxet River, contained by earthen berms and drained back into the river.

The Winnetuxet River originates in Carver, near the Cole Mill site, and flows west through Plympton and Halifax to the Taunton River.