The Boott Cotton Mills was incorporated in 1835 with four independent mill buildings constructed from 1836 to 1839. A fifth mill was added in 1847 along with a central picker house (1860) and cotton storehouse (1865). A sixth mill was added to the complex in 1872. In the 1870s the mills were combined into a unified plant. As part of the reorganization the company decided to maintain low wages, increase production speed and avoid updating equipment. This policy was ultimately flawed leading to the mill to be sold in 1905. The new company (Boott Mill) invested in new technology and remained in business until 1955.

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