Historic Mills of Connecticut

Companies Associated w/Complex

• Hawie Mfg. Co. 1916-Present (2016)

Use (Historic)

• Apparel & Accessories
• Fabricated Metal Products

Largest Documented Workforce

100-199 (1939).

Historic Narrative

The Hawie Manufacturing Company was established in Bridgeport, Connecticut in 1907. The firm was organized by Michael Hawie, a native of Lebanon, who emigrated to the United States at the age of 20 in 1896. Hawie took up residence in New York, New York, where he found employment in various manufacturing plants. In 1907, he moved to Bridgeport after acquiring a metal stamping business on North Washington Avenue formerly operated by George R. Osborn, which was then reorganized as the Hawie Manufacturing Company. The Hawie Manufacturing Company specialized in the production of metal buckles; suspender, corset, and garter hardware; and various other types of metal fasteners. The business began operations with 25 employees, however, rapid growth under Hawie necessitated three times as many hands within just ten years. During its early years, the company was also notable for its use of automated machinery, much of this being of Hawie’s own design. Such machinery allowed the firm to expand production without corresponding increases in payroll. The Hawie Manufacturing Company’s North Washington Avenue plant was substantially enlarged during the 1930s, and employment at the firm topped 100 hands by the end of the decade. During the Second World War, the Hawie Manufacturing Company made significant contributions to the war effort by supplying metal gas mask buckles to the United States Army. In the post-war period, the company secured profitable contracts manufacturing hose support grips for local corset companies, however, suspender clips and adjustable buckles remained a significant portion of the firm’s output. During the late 20th century the firm acquired the So-Lo Marine Company, a manufacturer of metal marine products such as gaff hooks, tail snares, rod holders, and landing nets. Both the Hawie Manufacturing Company and So-Lo Marine Company remain in operation in Bridgeport.

Number of Existing Buildings

Roughly four (4) primary blocks.

Dates of Construction

ca. 1916, ca. 1935, ca. 1936, ca. 1980.

Architect

n/a

Builder

n/a

Building Type

• Administration
• Mill
• Warehouse / Production Shed

Architectural Description

The former Hawie Manufacturing Company plant is comprised of four adjoining and freestanding primary blocks located on the west side of North Washington Avenue, at the southwest corner of North Washington Avenue’s intersection with River Street. The original factory building has recently been demolished, however, the oldest surviving block was erected in 1916. It is two-story, 32’ x 70’ red brick building that formerly served as the plant’s office. The building has a raised basement, rectangular window openings with concrete sills and multipane metal sash with awning-style openings, a red brick stringcourse dividing the first and second floors, a stepped brick façade (east elevation) parapet, concrete coping, and a flat roof. The primary entrance to the building is centered on the five-bay façade and a diamond-shaped concrete plaque is located in the center of the parapet. The original entry door has been replaced, however, the original transom remains. The next block of note associated with the plant is a two-story, 52’ x 154’ red brick manufacturing block that was built 90’ southwest of the office around 1936. The building has a concrete foundation, rectangular window openings with concrete sills and modern replacement sash, a red brick stringcourse-cum-continuous lintel dividing the first and second floors, a stepped brick façade (east elevation) parapet, concrete coping, and a flat roof. The primary entrance to the building is centered on the nine-bay façade and a set of concrete stairs leads to the entry, which has been blocked up with corrugated metal sheeting. A three-story red brick stair tower rises from what is roughly the center of the north (side) elevation, below which there is a small (15’ x 17’) one-story red brick ell that once connected the building to another factory block (recently demolished). The two final primary buildings associated with the plant are located to the north of the office and ca. 1936 manufacturing block. The first is a one-story, 120’ x 50’ concrete block plating building that was erected ca. 1935. This has rectangular window openings and a side-gabled roof. The second block stands to the north of the plating building and was erected ca. 1980. It is a two-story, 114’ x 158’ concrete block manufacturing building that has small multipane windows and a flat roof.

Exterior Material(s)

• Brick
• Concrete Block

Structural System(s)

• Load Bearing Masonry

Roof Form

• Flat
• Gable

Roof Material

• Asphalt
• Tar and Gravel

Power Source

• Electricity

Condition

Fair, Deteriorated

Condition Notes

The complex is in fair to deteriorated condition. Several sections of the plant are in the process of being demolished and two of the extant blocks are in need of maintenance. The windows in the former office buiding are deteriorated while those in the 1936 manufacturing building have been replaced with modern units.

Specific Location

Two parcels (695 & 729 North Washington Avenue) totaling 1.38 acres located on the west side of North Washington Avenue, at the southwest corner of North Washington Avenue’s intersection with River Street.

Adjacent To

• Main Roads

Exterior Visible from Public Road?

Yes

Parcel ID / Assessor Record Link

• 53/1525/8 / Link →
• 53/1525/1 / Link →

Acreage

1.38

Use (Present)

• Commercial
• Industrial
• Vacant

Form Completed By

Lucas A. Karmazinas

Date

01/22/2016

Bibliography

1. List of Connecticut Manufacturers, 1922, 1924, 1930, 1932.
2. Directory of Connecticut State Manufacturers, 1936, 1939.
3. Industrial Directory of Connecticut, 1947.
4. Register of War Production Facilities in Connecticut, 1951.
5. Map of Fairfield County; Baker, William A., 1854.
6. Atlas of the City of Bridgeport; J.B. Beers & Co., 1876.
7. Atlas of the City and Town of Bridgeport; G.M. Hopkins & Co., 1888, 1917.
8. Atlas of Bridgeport; Kershaw, William H., 1910.
9. Sanborn Map Company, 1884, 1888, 1898, 1904, 1913, 1939, 1950.
10. Aerial Survey of Connecticut, 1934, 1951, 1965, 1970, 1985.
11. Bridgeport City Directory, Various editions.
12. Hartford Courant, 1935, 1986.
13. The Norwalk Hour, 1945.
14. A History of the Old Town of Stratford and the City of Bridgeport; Orcutt, Samuel, 1886.
15. History of Bridgeport and Vicinity; S.J. Clarke Publishing, 1917.