Historic Mills of Connecticut

Companies Associated w/Complex

• Starr Bros Bell Co. 1882-1953
• Starr Net & Twine Co. 1897-1905
• Veazy and White Bell Manufacturers c.1865-1882

Use (Historic)

• Fabricated Metal Products
• Textiles

Largest Documented Workforce

25-49 (1936)

Historic Narrative

Known as “Belltown U.S.A.”, East Hampton was dominated by bell manufacturers for much of its history. This began with the arrival of William Barton in 1808 and continued throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries as workers trained in Barton’s mill established their own shops, many of these located along Pocotopaug Creek in the center of town. The oldest of the four primary blocks comprising the former Starr Brothers Bell Company factory were erected circa 1865 for the firm of Veazey and White, and are the oldest surviving structures that housed East Hampton’s bell manufacturers during the 19th century. The partnership of Veazey and White was formed by Hiram Veazey and Alfred White in 1865 and the company built their foundry and manufacturing building for the production of sleigh bells and other similar items shortly thereafter. The firm eventually became the town’s only large-scale manufacturer of church bells, in addition to producing a patented doorbell designed by Veazey. The Veazey and White factory included the 1-story, gable-roof brick building at the eastern edge of the present plant, as well as the 1-story, gable-roof frame building near the northern boundary of the complex. In 1882, these were purchased by the Starr Brothers Bell Company, a firm established that year as a partnership between Vine B., Henry S., John M., George M., and Wilbur F. Starr. Starr Brothers primarily focused on the production of sleigh bells and xylophones and the company soon rose to prominence among East Hampton’s bell manufacturers. In 1897, the firm began producing fishing nets under the auspices of the Starr Net and Twine Company. This product proved particularly popular among local shad fishermen and as a result of the success of the combined bell and net businesses, the firm made several additions to their plant in order to accommodate increased demand. This included construction of the two blocks on the western side of the plant along Summit Street, which were erected between ca. 1897 and 1900. Starr Brothers transferred the Net and Twine Company operations to Baltimore, Maryland in 1905, yet continued the production of bells and chimes in East Hampton until the firm was forced to close its doors in 1953. At that point the company filed for bankruptcy and the land, buildings, and equipment were sold at auction. Several light industrial and commercial firms subsequently occupied the plant, which continues to house a similar mix of tenants.

Number of Existing Buildings

Four (4) blocks.

Dates of Construction

ca. 1865, ca. 1897, 1900, ca. 1940

Architect

n/a

Builder

n/a

Building Type

• Mill
• Powerhouse
• Warehouse / Production Shed

Architectural Description

The former Starr Brothers Bell Company plant is comprised of an adjoining complex of four primary blocks located at the southwest corner of the intersection of Summit and Watrous Streets. The factory’s two original blocks were both erected ca. 1865 and consist of a one-story red brick foundry with granite foundation, cut granite sills and lintels, denticulated brick cornice, cornice returns, and front-gabled roof; and a one-story frame manufacturing block with red brick foundation, asphalt shingle siding, and a front-gabled roof. The two building’s measure 30’ x 100’ and 27’ x 160’, respectively, and intersect to form an L-shaped footprint. The original fenestration in the foundry has been replaced, however, some of the six-over-six double-hung frame windows in the manufacturing building still remain. Several one-story infill buildings connect the ca. 1865 blocks to two additional primary blocks, the latter erected ca. 1897 and 1900. The earlier of the two buildings measures 30’ x 72’ and is a two-and-a-half-story frame block with red brick foundation, six-over-six double-hung frame windows, asphalt shingle siding, and a front-gabled roof. A beam projecting from its northern gable end indicates where materials were once hoisted up to a loading door located on the second floor, this partially obstructed by the construction of the 1900 block. The final building associated with the Starr Brothers Bell Company plant is a two-story red brick block constructed adjacent to the northern elevation of the ca. 1897 block in 1900. This measures 40’ x 60’ and has a red brick foundation, full-height brick piers, segmental-arched window openings, six-over-six double-hung frame sash, and a low-pitch front-gabled roof. The primary entrance to the plant is located on the building’s northern elevation, this consisting of a segmental-arched opening with paired, paneled wood doors.

Exterior Material(s)

• Brick
• Concrete Block
• Wood

Structural System(s)

• Load Bearing Masonry
• Post and Beam
• Wood Frame

Roof Form

• Gable
• Shed

Roof Material

• Asphalt

Power Source

• Electricity
• Water (Wheel)

Condition

Fair

Condition Notes

The complex is in generally fair condition, however, some of the exterior walls, windows, and roofs show early signs of deterioration.

Specific Location

One legal parcel (12 Summit Street) totaling 1.8 acres at the southwest corner of the intersection of Summit and Watrous Streets.
Located in the Belltown Historic District; listed as 10-12 Summit Street

Adjacent To

• Water (for Power)
• Business District
• Main Roads

Exterior Visible from Public Road?

Yes

Parcel ID / Assessor Record Link

• 06A/ 61/ 1 / Link →

Acreage

1.8

Use (Present)

• Commercial
• Industrial

Form Completed By

Lucas A. Karmazinas

Date

12/8/2014

Bibliography

1. List of Connecticut Manufacturers, 1922, 1924, 1930, 1932.
2. Directory of Connecticut State Manufacturers, 1936, 1939.
3. Atlas of Middlesex County, F.W. Beers & Co., 1874.
4. Industrial Directory of Connecticut, 1947.
5. Register of War Production Facilities in Connecticut, 1951.
6. Sanborn Map Company, 1903, 1908, 1914, 1925, 1936.
7. Aerial Survey of Connecticut, 1934, 1965.
8. The Hartford Courant, 1900, 1905, 1910, 1953, 1971.
9. The History and Architecture of East Hampton, 1980.
10. Long Ago, Not Far Away: An Illustrated History of Six Middlesex Country Towns, 1996.
11. Cunningham, Jan. 1985. Belltown Historic District National Register Nomination No. 85003543. National Park Service.