In the area of Narva falls is the island of Krenholm. Before Narva waterfall was one of the largest in Europe. The noise of falling water could be heard for several kilometers. Unfortunately, at the present time, all this beauty is no longer available for locals or tourists. The island is an industrial complex, which is of great importance for Narva, although sacrificed to the greatness of nature.

In the mid 19th century large shareholder Ludwig Knop bought Narva merchant Sudhoff Kreenholm island under a new factory. In April 1857 the island was built the first industrial complex. Construction is progressing very quickly, and by the end of next year launched the first 8 000 spinning machines. In 1862, when the whole original case was completed and launched, Krenholm manufactory became the most modern textile enterprise in Russia during those years. Spinning machine powered by water that got into the turbine through a specially constructed channels.

In 1870 was built "New spinning factory". In subsequent years, were built and launched Aalska and George factory. By 1872 the company employs about 6 thousand. man. Rooms are lighted by gas lamps. Each of them were equipped with ventilation. On particularly dusty jobs was installed additional ventilation. In addition, to remove the dust in the air of premises used special moisturizing fixture. All the factory buildings were constructed of fireproof materials. In addition, the factory was equipped with an automatic fire extinguishing system, which is triggered when the temperature rises to a certain level, turn on the pumps and the water sprayed on the fire source. Thus, the company for those years was extremely well equipped and from the point of view of production and from the point of view of working conditions and safety of the factory and its people.

During the manufacture, in addition to industrial buildings and other buildings. Here were built the quarters for workers, which mainly lived newcomers and their families. Since the factory employed many juvenile and illiterate, when the manufactory was a private two-year school, and a nursery where workers could leave their children for the whole day. For plant workers had a bath and Laundry with hot water, which they could use for free.

On the territory of the manufactory worked markets and shops, was built mill. In 1872 opened a police station in a few years and Telegraph point. Since 1893, the factory opened its own bakery. At that time all family events such as weddings, births, funerals were held without the participation of the Church. Therefore, in the years 1881-1884 was built by Alexander the Lutheran Church, and in the years 1890-1896 – Orthodox resurrection Cathedral. On the premises also included a hospital, the contents of which were held on two kopecks per ruble of the salaries of the workers.

So, Krenholm manufactory was a kind of a city that is constantly expanded and upset. Krenholm architect as a result have managed to create their own original style associated with historical traditions of Narva architecture.

However, not all was so smoothly. Workers complained of the heat, so ventilation is not always good. Plus a long working day, which lasted from 5 am to 8 PM. For delays and even failure of the machine workers could receive a monetary penalty. This enterprise, in addition to its size, it also became known thanks to the strike of 1872, which appeared on the pages of history books, as Kreenholm strike. In the summer of 1872 in the province of Estonia was an outbreak of cholera. The disease killed many, not over the Krenholm. Some of the workers, to avoid infection, asked to terminate the contract prematurely. Many of the factory workers rioted because of poor and unsanitary living conditions. The workers have put forward a number of requirements, some of which, as a result of negotiations, were performed.

In 1900 the production was awarded the Grand Prix at the Paris world exhibition. It is worth noting that in modern Estonia there are no analogues of such a complex, which recently celebrated its 150th anniversary, and is still the largest employer in the city. And institutions built by the Union paper, work to this day.