Rodman Candleworks Building on North Water Street in New Bedford, Massachusetts
Location: 72 North Water Street
The Rodman Candleworks Building from 1810 was owned by candle maker Samuel Rodman. New Bedford was a prime location for the candle industry because of its connection to whaling. The brightest candles were made from spermaceti, a liquid found in massive quantities inside the skull of a sperm whale. Spermaceti was brought in by the barrel on a regular basis and offloaded on the docks just across the street. The candle factory remained in business until after the Civil War, at which time the building was converted into a warehouse.
By 1963, the Rodman Candleworks Building stood empty, and it was damaged by fire a few years later. Slated to be torn down, the Waterfront Historic Area League and the Architectural Conservation Trust stepped in and halted the demolition. The building was restored in 1979 and is today used for commercial space. At the time of this writing it is occupied by an Italian restaurant, a bank, and a few other businesses.
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Last updated on November 25, 2025
