De Gandt-Vander Schueren cotton spinning mill

The De Gandt-Vander Schueren cotton spinning mill was built at Korianderstraat 2 in 1839. It is one of the oldest textile factories in Ghent. Later, it became part of L’Association Linière as a steam mill for spinning flax and tow. It spun flax fibres into thread. The flax waste was spun into lower quality thread called tow. The factory occupied almost the entire block, with entrances in Lammerstraat and Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the business was turned into the Emile Schulze gas mantle factory. Gas mantles are woven or knitted nets for use in gas burners, hung around the flame that is directed upwards. Invented in 1885, the gas mantle enabled gas lamps to give off much brighter light. 

Only the main factory building has been preserved. In the 1970s, the pioneers of industrial archaeology in Ghent campaigned to preserve the remaining building and prevent its demolition. This one building is all that remains of a fascinating textiles district with dozens of factories.

Industriemuseum