The site has been used for industrial purposes since 1670, when James Leonard built an iron forge on the west bank of the river.

In October 2005, the site gained national attention when the mill's 1832 wooden dam threatened to collapse after heavy rains.

[4] Between 1670 and 1805, the Leonard family operated a forge on the west bank of the Mill River, at was originally called Whittington.

In early 1823, Samuel Crocker and Charles Richmond organized the Taunton Manufacturing Company, along with several wealthy Boston investors.

The new company operated a variety of businesses, including the manufacture of copper, iron, machinery, cotton and woolen textiles, at several sites throughout Taunton.

By 1883, when the company was incorporated as the Whittenton Manufacturing Company,[8] the factory covered a site of about 15 acres, and contained over 400,000 square feet of manufacturing space, producing a variety of cotton goods, including ginghams, dress goods, fancy tickings, shirtings, flannels, and denims.

[13] On January 31, 2012, current owner David Murphy of Jefferson Development Partners announced plans for a Chinese firm to invest $25 Million into the complex, as part of a proposed project to convert the 42-acre site into residences and businesses.