Title
Rosenau Hosiery Mills Advertisement
Subject
Mills and Mill Work
Cotton Textile Industry
Women Employees
Description
On March 1, 1901, the Rosenau Hosiery Mill was established in south Tuscaloosa. The area became known as “Socktown.” It employed 200 men and women in the production of hose and socks. At the time, the hosiery mill was the only factory in Tuscaloosa that employed women.
Children as young as 10 years old could be employed, but a company rule said they had to attend school at least three months each school year until they reached 12 years of age. After laws were passed regarding employment of children, inspectors came around to see if any child was working. If so, it was said that the supervisors would hide them in bins of socks until it was safe to come out.
This advertisement, published in The Tuscaloosa News on Sept. 14, 1919, looked for workers, boys and girls between 16 and 20. There was a boarding house for the girls who would be taken care of by the landlady. The mill in Northport had newly opened above what is, in 2019, Anders Hardware. The company also had a Cottondale plant.
In 1924, the Tuscaloosa factory burned and was never rebuilt. It is unknown if the other plants were closed at the same time.
Children as young as 10 years old could be employed, but a company rule said they had to attend school at least three months each school year until they reached 12 years of age. After laws were passed regarding employment of children, inspectors came around to see if any child was working. If so, it was said that the supervisors would hide them in bins of socks until it was safe to come out.
This advertisement, published in The Tuscaloosa News on Sept. 14, 1919, looked for workers, boys and girls between 16 and 20. There was a boarding house for the girls who would be taken care of by the landlady. The mill in Northport had newly opened above what is, in 2019, Anders Hardware. The company also had a Cottondale plant.
In 1924, the Tuscaloosa factory burned and was never rebuilt. It is unknown if the other plants were closed at the same time.
Creator
The Tuscaloosa News
Source
Tuscaloosa News Archive
Publisher
The Tuscaloosa News
Date
September 24, 1919
Contributor
Betty Slowe (Description)
Type
Advertisement
Identifier
2553
Coverage
Tuscaloosa (AL)
Original Format
Advertisement