The Crown and Eagle was the flagship of textile mills in the Blackstone Industrial Valley. Erected circa 1825-27 of locally quarried granite blocks superbly fitted together, it was a hallmark in New England mill construction. Added to the National Register of Historic places and slated for renovation, the entire complex was destroyed by fire in 1975 in a senseless act of vandalism. The site and unstable masonry shell lay abandoned for seven years amidst 20 feet of charred debris.

The approach to this restoration was like that of reconstructing a Greek urn – filling in the lost pieces in silhouette. Remaining wall sections were stabilized and new walls were erected of modern materials to create an infill that recalls the original mill’s shape. Considerable site work and landscaping celebrate the canals as a focal point, and water offers a tranquil feel to the grounds. Sixty-two apartment units, a library, meeting rooms, and community space now occupy the historic site.