Historic Mills of Connecticut

Companies Associated w/Complex

• Airadio Inc. c.1943
• Replitura Corp. c.1951
• Taco Heaters Inc. c.1951

Use (Historic)

• Electrical Equipment
• Fabricated Metal Products

Largest Documented Workforce

n/a

Historic Narrative

Airadio Inc. was developed by the cosmetics company Northam Warren Co. in World War II for the production of radar and airplane communications devices. The company, with a plant on Barry Place (see resource 1951), built this facility and retooled and trained its largely female workforce to operate the drill presses to make the new product line.

Number of Existing Buildings

Three (3) primary blocks.

Dates of Construction

1945

Architect

n/a

Builder

n/a

Building Type

• Warehouse / Production Shed

Architectural Description

The complex consists of two parallel but offset single story rectangular blocks, each approx. 198 ft by 65 ft and with seven light full width sawtooth roofs. They are joined at the north end by a smaller rectangular block with gable roof and monitor.

Exterior Material(s)

• Concrete

Structural System(s)

• Wood Frame

Roof Form

• Gable
• Monitor
• Sawtooth

Roof Material

n/a

Power Source

• Electricity

Condition

Good

Condition Notes

n/a

Specific Location

One 2.57 acre parcel at the NWC of the intersection of Barry Place and Melrose Place.

Adjacent To

• Railroad

Exterior Visible from Public Road?

Yes

Parcel ID / Assessor Record Link

• 003/ 1504 / Link →

Acreage

2.57

Use (Present)

• Industrial

Form Completed By

Renée Tribert

Date

December 2016

Bibliography

1. Sanborn Insurance Atlases.
2. 'Connecticut Firms Stress Labor Need,' New York Times, October 5, 1945.