Thomas Byrne, an orphan immigrant from Ireland, once worked at the Phoenix Iron Company as a machinist. He and a partner saved their money and invested in the Byrne Knitting Mills. The buildings covered over 100,000 sq.ft. It was the first building in the US to have a sprinkler system for protection against fires.
The mill became the largest producer of ladies underwear in the US. They also produced corset laces and silk and cotton shoe laces. The buildings have now been adaptively reused as loft condominiums. Byrne also founded St. Anne’s Catholic Church. It is named for his mother who died when he was born.