Handmade workshops: the prototype of Wuxi’s modern industry. Most of Wuxi’s modern industries developed from handcrafted workshops. Wuxi's handicraft industry not only has a long history, but also has many industries, including blacksmithing, smelting, shipbuilding, bricks and tiles, brewing, printing, clay figurines, embroidery, bamboo ware, woodware, etc. It can be said that they are all the prototypes of modern industry.
From Wangyuan Jiye Fang to Wuxi Boiler Factory Wangyuan Jiye Fang, founded in 1837, is the most famous of the many smelters in Wuxi. Originally located in Yangyao Bay (today's Yangyao Bay) outside the east gate, the product was the "Shuangji" brand iron pot, which was famous for its thinness, resistance to strong fire, and non-explosion, and was sold well all over the country. In the 1950s, it moved to the former residence of Zhu Dachun on the edge of Bodu Port and was renamed Wuxi Pot Factory. Production ceased in the 1980s, but the old site is still there. It is now listed as a municipal-level cultural relics protection unit and has been declared as a provincial-level cultural relics protection unit.
From ship repair workshops to Hongqi Shipyard Wuxi has many rivers and water transportation is convenient, so the shipbuilding and ship repair industry has developed.
Place names such as "Shipyard" and "Shipyard Lane" are places where there were many shipbuilding and repair workshops. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, these workshops united with each other to form cooperatives. In 1958, they were merged to form Wuxi Hongqi Shipyard (the former site is at No. 14 Xihui Road today).
From Blacksmith Workshop to Wuxi Agricultural Tool Factory "Blacksmith Lane" is located near the Qingming Bridge outside the south gate. It was named because there were many blacksmith shops here at that time. During the late Qing Dynasty, there were many blacksmith shops in Wuxi, which were both workshops and ironware shops. Many of Wuxi's first generation of ethnic industrialists and merchants were apprentices in iron shops and then gradually started their own businesses. In 1956, some blacksmith workshops merged to form the Wuxi Agricultural Tools Factory, a public-private partnership.
From Lu Youfeng Sauce Garden to Wuxi Seasoning Food Factory Lu Youfeng Sauce Garden was founded in 1852 as a workshop for making wine and making soy sauce and pickles. It was first located in Yanqiao, Beixiang, and later moved to Jieguanting Lane, Beitang Street. In 1958, it was changed to Taihu Sauce Food Factory and is now Wuxi Seasoning Food Factory.
From the brick and tile kilns to the Taihu Refractory Materials Factory on Dayao Road outside the south gate of Wuxi, brick and tile kilns have been built one after another since the Ming Dynasty. By the Qing Dynasty, there were more than a hundred of them, distributed along the Grand Canal. east coast. The bricks and tiles produced are famous far and wide.
In the 1950s, firing was stopped one after another, and most of the kiln workers entered the newly built Limin Porcelain Factory and Taihu Refractory Materials Factory.
From Huishan Clay Figure Workshop to Huishan Clay Figure Factory As early as the mid-to-late Ming Dynasty, there were many workshops for making clay figures in Huishan Ancient Town, Wuxi, both making and selling, generally in a "front shop and back shop" style. pattern. It has become more prosperous in modern times. In 1954, they jointly established the Wuxi Huishan Clay Figure Factory, and Guo Moruo inscribed the name of the factory.
The former site of Xu Ji’s Flour Milling Workshop is located outside the south gate at the east end of Xinmin Road. It is a flour processing workshop that sells flour from stone grinding to dry knife-cut noodles. It is now Xu’s Flour Milling Workshop. The old house has been listed as a municipal cultural relic protection unit.
National capital: Wuxi’s national industrialists and merchants, the main force of Wuxi’s modern industry, first made breakthroughs in flour, silk reeling, cotton spinning and other industries. After hard work, the capital accumulated more and more, forming Yang's, Zhou's, Xue's, Rong's, Tang Cheng, Tang Cai and other capital groups.
They are the main force in Wuxi’s modern industrial development.
Yeqin Cotton Factory is located at Xinglong Bridge in Yangyao Bay outside the east gate of Wuxi. It was founded in 1895 by the famous national industrialists and businessmen Yang Zonglian and Yang Zonghan brothers. It is the first large-scale factory enterprise in Wuxi and the first large-scale factory in Wuxi. The earliest commercial cotton spinning enterprise in my country’s modern history. It was bombed by the Japanese army in 1937.
Maoxin Flour Mill Maoxin Flour Mill, formerly known as Baoxing Flour Mill, is located at the intersection of Liangxi River and the ancient canal on the south side of Taibao Dun outside Xishuiguan. It was founded in 1901 and is a famous national industrial and commercial enterprise in my country. The first large-scale enterprise founded by brothers Zong Jing and Rong Desheng, the "Bingchuan Brand" flour produced was sold well at home and abroad. It was bombed by the Japanese army in 1937. In 1946, Rong Desheng's son Rong Yiren was specifically responsible for the reconstruction.
It is now listed as a cultural relic protection unit in Jiangsu Province.
Yuchang Silk Factory Yuchang Silk Factory was founded in 1904 by Zhou Shunqing, a famous national industrialist and businessman. The factory is located in his hometown of Zhouxin Town. It is the first machine reeling factory in Wuxi. It was burned down by the Japanese army in 1937. Part of the old street in Zhouxin Town built by Zhou Shunqing for his hometown still exists today and is very distinctive.
Zhenxin Cotton Mill Zhenxin Cotton Mill is located to the east of Maoxin Flour Mill and beside the ancient canal. It was founded in 1905 by Rong Zongjing, Rong Desheng, Rong Ruixin and others with funds raised. It is a modern enterprise in Wuxi. The second large-scale cotton spinning enterprise in history, it was renamed Wuxi Fourth Cotton Textile Factory after liberation.
Former Site of Wuxi County Chamber of Commerce Wuxi County Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1905, originally named Sikkim Chamber of Commerce. It was initiated by national industrial and commercial giants such as Zhou Shunqing, Zhu Dachun, and Xue Nanming, and played a very important role in the development of Wuxi industry and commerce. The two existing office buildings were built in 1915 and overhauled in 2004. They have been approved and announced as cultural relics protection units in Jiangsu Province.
Jiangyin Utilized Cotton Mill Jiangyin Utilized Cotton Mill was founded in 1908 by Wu Tinglu, a famous national industrialist and businessman in Jiangyin. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, it was renamed Jiangyin Cotton Textile Factory.
Wuxi Telephone Company Wuxi Telephone Company was founded by Yang Shoumei in 1911 and was the beginning of telephone communication in Wuxi.
The former site of Huiyuan Flour Mill is located on the bank of the ancient canal south of Wuqiao (now in the old factory area of ??Huguang Instrument Factory). In 1913, it was founded by Zhu Dachun and others with funds raised. It was later acquired by Rong's Enterprise Group and renamed Maoxin Second Flour Mill. Now its old factory building and office building have been listed as municipal cultural relics protection units.
The former site of Taihu Cement Company (Xue Huidong’s residence) Taihu Cement Company and its affiliated Taihu Cement Factory were co-founded by Xue Nanming and Zhou Yuxi in 1921. Xue Nanming’s eldest son, Xue Yujin, was the manager. It was the first cement manufacturing enterprise in the history of Wuxi. Later, it was shut down due to losses caused by Xue Yujin's poor management. The company's office building was built in 1917 and later moved to the new wedding residence of Xue Nanming's second son, Xue Huidong. The three existing Baroque garden houses have been listed as cultural relics protection units in Jiangsu Province.
Shenxin No.3 Factory Shenxin No.3 Factory, the full name of Shenxin Textile Company No.3 Cotton Spinning Factory, is located on both sides of the Liangxi River outside Xishuiguan, Wuxi. It was founded in 1919 by brothers Rong Zongjing and Rong Desheng. Rongshi Enterprise Group is the largest cotton spinning enterprise in Wuxi. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, it was renamed Wuxi No. 1 Cotton Textile Factory.
Lixin Textile Printing and Dyeing Factory Lixin Textile Printing and Dyeing Factory is located on the north side of Wuqiao by the Grand Canal. It was founded in 1919 by Tang Xiangting and Cheng Jingtang, the famous national industrial and businessmen. It is the first in Wuxi and the country's The earliest cotton textile enterprise with complete spinning, weaving, printing and dyeing capabilities. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, it was renamed Wuxi Third Cotton Textile Factory.
Qingfeng Cotton Mill Qingfeng Cotton Mill is located in the Zhoushanbang area on the north side of Wuxi Railway Station. It was founded in 1922 by the famous national industrialist and businessman Tang Baoqian, Xue Nanming, Cai Miansan and others. Tang Xinghai, son of Tang Baoqian, implemented scientific management of the factory, and the enterprise developed greatly. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, it was renamed Wuxi Second Cotton Textile Factory. Now it is Qingfeng Textile Group Co., Ltd. (listed company).
Yongtai Silk Factory Yongtai Silk Factory was originally located on Qipu Road, Shanghai. It was jointly founded by Xue Nanming and Zhou Shunqing in 1896, and was later solely operated by Xue Nanming. In 1926, the entire factory moved back to Dagongqiao Village outside the South Gate of Wuxi, and it is the core enterprise of Xue's Silk Cocoon Enterprise Group. Xue Shouxuan, the son of Xue Nanming, implemented modern scientific management and achieved great development. The "Jin Shuang Lu" brand raw silk produced won the gold medal at the New York World's Fair and sold well in many European and American countries. The existing old factory building has been listed as a municipal cultural relic protection unit.
The former site of Dingchang Silk Factory. Dingchang Silk Factory is located in Niu Lane outside the South Gate. It was founded in 1929 by Zhou Zhaofu, son of Zhou Shunqing. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, it was merged into several small silk factories and renamed Wuxi No. 1 Silk Reeling Factory. .
The trademark is "Plum Blossom Brand". The existing old factory buildings (including cocoon warehouse and boiler room) have been listed as municipal cultural relics protection units.
Xiexin Wool Textile and Dyeing Factory Xiexin Wool Textile and Dyeing Factory is located next to Lixin Textile Factory. It was founded in 1935 by Tang Xiangting, Cheng Jingtang and others. Tang Junyuan, the son of Tang Xiangting, is the manager. The first wool textile and dyeing enterprise to produce worsted woolen fabrics.
Wuxi Grease Chemical Factory Wuxi Grease Chemical Factory is located beside the Grand Canal on Wuqiao West Road. It was founded in 1946 and is the first petrochemical enterprise in Wuxi. It is now called Wuxi Refinery.
Kaiyuan Machinery Factory Kaiyuan Machinery Factory is located on the north side of Liqiao and on the west bank of Liangxi River. Founded by Rong Desheng in 1947, it is a large-scale machinery manufacturing enterprise in the Rong Enterprise Group. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, it developed into a nationally famous Wuxi Machine Tool Factory.
Tianyuan Linen Textile Factory Tianyuan Linen Textile Factory, whose full name is Tianyuan Linen Cotton Textile Factory, is the first ramie textile factory in China. It was founded solely by Rong Desheng in 1947 on the east bank of Liangxi River in Wuxi.
April 18, International Day for Monuments and Sites. The theme for 2006 is: Focus on Industrial Heritage. Wuxi still retains the city that hosted important factories and enterprises from the late 19th century to the 1980s.
Take it and let us cherish it.
This is an ancient and emerging famous city in the south of the Yangtze River, especially the rare prosperity during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Inside and outside the ancient city, along the Grand Canal, there are many chimneys, whistles, streets and alleys, and shops.
It is Wuxi, one of the cities with the earliest and fastest development of national industry and commerce in my country. Its industrial civilization has not only made an extremely significant contribution to the modernization of Wuxi, but also left a large number of precious heritages for Wuxi. . This batch of heritage is not only evidence of past glory, but also a display of Wuxi’s historical context.