[2][3] Though the praying town became depopulated after King Phillip’s War, and the land was sold to investors, its name persisted in the name of Manchaug Pond.

In 1826, investors from Rhode Island began purchasing water privileges and land along the river for the development of textile mills.

[4] The historic district is centered on the junction of Main Street with Manchaug, Putnam Hill, and Whitins Roads.

The surviving mill buildings are typically large stone structures, while the housing units a multifamily wood-frame dwellings with gabled roofs.

The Greek Revival Manchaug Baptist Church is one of the buildings not related directly to the mills; it was built in 1842 to serve the workers.