Historic Mills of Connecticut

Companies Associated w/Complex

• J.A. Northrop and Son ca. 1890-ca. 1900
• J.A. Northrup & Sons ca. 1900-1910
• J.A. Northrup Foundry mid-19th c.-ca. 1890
• New Milford Foundry & Machine Co. 1910-late 20th c.

Use (Historic)

• Fabricated Metal Products

Largest Documented Workforce

10-24 (1939)

Historic Narrative

The first foundry and machine shop operated by the Northrup family in New Milford was established by Roswell, Sheldon, and David Northrup in 1832. This firm manufactured made-to-order castings, machinery, and iron fences, although it did not occupy the mill on West Street. The latter appears to have been erected by Jasper A. Northrup, who had assumed the firm and built the new plant during the mid-to-late 19th century. Around 1890, Northup brought his son, J.A. Northrup Jr., into the family business and the firm’s title was changed to J.A. Northrup and Son. A second son, Harry G. Northrup, joined the company around 1900 and the name was again adjusted, this time to J.A. Northrup and Sons. During the late 1880s Northrup began production of a line of steam and hot water heaters. These were marketed under the brand name of ‘Unique’ and were available in six sizes ranging in capacity from 300 to 1,300 feet of steam and from 500 to 1,800 feet of water. This work continued until 1910, when the firm was incorporated as the New Milford Foundry and Machine Company. The directors of the company continued to include Harry G. and J.A. Northrup Jr., however, they were also joined by Verton P. Staub, E.J. Emmons, H.G. Barton, W.G. Green, and W.B. Hatch. Staub served as president, while Harry G. Northrup oversaw the dual role of secretary and treasurer. The New Milford Foundry and Machine Company expanded the range of services offered during the 1920s. This included steam fitting, plumbing, and the installation of home heating and lighting plants. During the late 1930s the company abandoned its production of heaters in boilers and solely focused on the service side of the business. This work continued into the late 20th century before the business was eventually closed and the former factory vacated.

Number of Existing Buildings

Roughly seven (7) adjoining blocks.

Dates of Construction

Mid-to-late-19th c., ca. 1910, ca. 1940.

Architect

n/a

Builder

n/a

Building Type

• Mill

Architectural Description

The former New Milford Foundry and Machine Company plant is comprised of seven primary adjoining blocks located on the west side of West Street opposite its intersection with South Avenue. The main block and its rear ell were erected during the mid-to-late-19th century (likely ca. 1870) and are the oldest portions of the factory. The main block fronts on West Street and is a two-story, 44’ x 28’ wood-frame structure with a stone block foundation, clapboard siding, narrow rakeboards, and a low-pitch side-gabled roof. Fenestration consists of double-hung wood sash, these in six-over-six arrangements. The primary entrance to the building is offset on the east (façade) elevation and consists of paneled wood door with large glass light. A second-story loading bay with sliding doors is located below a cantilevered hoist beam in the south elevation’s gable end. The building’s rear ell is a one-story, 20’ x 60’ block that has been surrounded by later construction. It is of wood-frame construction and has a front-facing gable roof. A one-story wood-frame ell with a shed roof wraps around the south (side) and west (rear) elevation of the main block. This was erected ca. 1910 and measures roughly 17’ x 40’ along the south side of the plant, and extends in a 16’ x 24’ extension to the rear of the main block. The details of the addition are similar to the original construction and there are pass-through and garage-style doors on its south elevation. Further additions to the building were completed ca. 1940. These include a one-story, 8’ x 40’ wood-frame ell with a hipped roof adjoining the north (side) elevation of the main block and rear ell; a two-story, 28’ x 33’ concrete block addition with a shed roof and two garage bays on the south side of the rear ell; and a one-story, 32’ x 26’ concrete block addition adjoining the western end of the plant.

Exterior Material(s)

• Concrete Block
• Wood

Structural System(s)

• Load Bearing Masonry
• Wood Frame

Roof Form

• Gable
• Hip Minor
• Shed

Roof Material

• Asphalt

Power Source

• Electricity
• Steam

Condition

Fair, Deteriorated

Condition Notes

The complex is in fair to deteriorated condition. The plant appears to be structurally sound, however, the exterior walls and windows are in need of maintenance and repairs.

Specific Location

One legal parcel (84 West Street) totaling 3.8 acres located on the west side of West Street opposite its intersection with South Avenue.

Adjacent To

n/a

Exterior Visible from Public Road?

Yes

Parcel ID / Assessor Record Link

• 28/2 / 64 / Link →

Acreage

3.8

Use (Present)

• Commercial
• Other: By 2023, building rehabbed and occupied by West Street Power Equipment (sales, service, rentals)

Form Completed By

Lucas A. Karmazinas

Date

07/27/2015

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 Litchfield County; Hopkins, G.M., 1859.
6. Sanborn Map Company, 1887, 1892, 1897, 1904, 1909, 1931, 1939.
7. New Milford Revisited; New Milford Historical Society, 2015.