Historic Mills of Connecticut

Companies Associated w/Complex

• Climax Fuse Co. 1892-c.1905
• Ensign Bickford Co. c.1905-c.1960s

Use (Historic)

• Firearms, Weapons, Explosives

Largest Documented Workforce

n/a

Historic Narrative

Fuse production in Avon began in 1852, but hazards inherent in the industry have obliterated all traces of 19th-century facilities: the works were destroyed in both 1883 and 1905. Climax Fuse Co. was incorporated to rebuild the ruins after the first fire. Ensign Bickford and Co. of Simsbury bought half-interest in Climax in 1892, and the two firms merged after the second fire. Manufacturing ceased here in the mid-1960s and the plant now houses an unusual combination of functions. Town offices occupy several of the buildings. The smaller structures are leased for offices and retail businesses. The main fuse-spinning mill is home for Farmington Valley Arts Center, with spaces for studios, offices, and exhibitions. Essential building fabric and the open races have been retained. (Roth)

Number of Existing Buildings

n/a

Dates of Construction

1906

Architect

n/a

Builder

n/a

Building Type

• Mill
• Warehouse / Production Shed

Architectural Description

Like the Simsbury plant, the buildings here have walls of random-coursed brownstone blocks and wood-framed roofs. The main fuse-spinning mill, 290' x 25' with gable roof, is a series of rooms separated by fire walls. Numerous testing buildings and support shops ranging in size from 25' x 15' to 80' X 30' survive, as does the dam and system of races for water power. (Roth)

Exterior Material(s)

• Stone

Structural System(s)

• Load Bearing Masonry

Roof Form

• Gable

Roof Material

n/a

Power Source

n/a

Condition

n/a

Condition Notes

n/a

Specific Location

6 parcels totaling 29.87 acres north of route 44 and west of Ensign Drive (60 West Main St, 55 Bickford Dr, 16 and 21 Ensign Dr); two buildings separately owned by Farmington Valley Arts Center

Adjacent To

n/a

Exterior Visible from Public Road?

Yes

Parcel ID / Assessor Record Link

• 2210016 / Link →
• 1140025 / Link →
• 1140027 / Link →
• 4540060 / Link →
• 1300055 / Link →
• 2210021 / Link →

Acreage

29.87

Use (Present)

• Mixed-Use
• Other: Municipal offices

Form Completed By

n/a

Date

n/a

Bibliography

1. Roth, Matthew, et al, Connecticut: An Inventory of Historic Engineering and Industrial Sites (Washington DC: SIA, 1981).
2. Ensign Bickford State Register Nomination. Date?. On file at SHPO, Hartford, CT.