Shields Woolen Mill

Shields Woolen Mill is located along the edge of the Mississippi River in Davenport, Iowa, United States. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1983.^[1] The building has been repurposed as commercial and office space.

History

Because the Civil War cut off cotton supplies from the southern states, wool increased in popularity in the north. To take advantage of the situation Joseph Shields established Shields Woolen Mills in 1863. By 1870 he employed 52 people and the annual production value of the mill was $36,000, which made it the sixth largest industry in Davenport.^[2]

Several fires and financial problems caused Shield’s problems and he committed suicide in 1878. By 1881 the business was reorganized as the Davenport Woolen Mills. In the 1890s the mill employed 140 people and its product line included clothing, cashmere, flannels and blankets.^[2] It would be the highpoint of the company, however. As the sheep herds moved further west the production of woolen goods moved with them. The company’s financial situation rose and fell and it finally closed in 1914.

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