Historic Mills of Connecticut

Companies Associated w/Complex

• General Motors 1919-1971
• New Departure Manufacturing Co. 1898-1919

Use (Historic)

• Fabricated Metal Products
• Transportation

Largest Documented Workforce

7,000 (c.1920)

Historic Narrative

Albert Rockwell began his career in Bristol in 1888 by manufacturing clock-work doorbells, but he rode to prominence on production of ball bearings for bicycles and automobiles. Entry into bearing manufacture began in 1898 when Rockwell's firm, New Departure Manufacturing Co., brought out a bicycle coaster brake that used steel balls for friction reduction, and accelerated as New Departure supplied bearings for automobiles made by Bristol Engineering Co., a subsidiary organized in 1907. In 1919 General Motors acquired New Departure, which continued to make bicycle parts and to sell bearings to other automobile firms. At full capacity the company employed some 7,000 workers who produced 225,000 ball bearings per day. In the 1920s and 1930s New Departure and other Connecticut firms, notably Fafnir, the Torrington Co., Marlin-Rockwell Corp. (formed by Rockwell after leaving New Departure) and Norma-Hoffman Bearings Corp., made more than half of the ball bearings in the world, and New Departure was the world's largest producer. New Departure moved into a new factory in Bristol in 1971. (Roth)

Number of Existing Buildings

Roughly six (6) blocks.

Dates of Construction

c.1895, c.1911, 1919-21, 1930

Architect

n/a

Builder

n/a

Building Type

• Administration
• Loft
• Mill
• Warehouse / Production Shed

Architectural Description

Most of the plant was built between 1900 and 1930, although one c.1895 2-story brick-pier factory (131' x 41') still stands. Originally used for manufacturing, it was converted to personnel offices and the plant hospital when later factories were erected. The 5-story, 212' x 63' brick building at the southeast corner of the complex held offices and the Endee Inn, where unmarried workers boarded. Built in 1911-12, its white brick facade has trim of tile and precast concrete; the back and sides are red brick. Much of the plant was built in 1919-21, including the 1-story reinforced concrete Annealing Building, 222' x 195' with sawtooth roof; the 3-story Model Shop, 232' x 92' with brick walls and near-flat roof; and the 1-story, 312' x 102' brick factory that housed machining and forming processes. The largest factory was built in 1930; 5-story and 402' x 128', it has reinforced concrete framing and brick-pier exterior walls. With completion of this factory New Departure had 50 acres of floor space. (Roth)

Exterior Material(s)

• Brick
• Concrete

Structural System(s)

n/a

Roof Form

• Flat
• Monitor
• Sawtooth

Roof Material

n/a

Power Source

n/a

Condition

n/a

Condition Notes

n/a

Specific Location

Four parcels totaling 18.08 acres, almost entire block between Race Street to the north, North Main Street to the east, rte 69 to the west, and Center Street to the south

Adjacent To

n/a

Exterior Visible from Public Road?

Yes

Parcel ID / Assessor Record Link

• 26/ / 21A (255 NMain) / Link →
• 26/ / 21B (225 NMain) / Link →
• 26/ 7-9+25-/ 1- 25-3 (390 West) / Link →
• 26/ / 32 (374 West) / Link →

Acreage

18.08

Use (Present)

• Commercial

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).