Water Street roughly parallels Cochichewick Creek, which flows northwest just to its south, and provided the power for the village's industries.

[2] The area has been the site of industrial development since the 18th century, but textiles began to be produced in North Andover only in 1802.

The oldest mill building in Machine Shop Village is a stone structure dating to about 1825.

Several of the mill managers and owners also lived in the village, leaving examples of relatively high style Greek Revival, Italianate, and Second Empire residences.

The Blanchard House at 10 Elm Street is a particularly fine example of Queen Anne architecture, designed by William C. Richardson of Boston and completed about 1881.