Historic Mills of Connecticut

Companies Associated w/Complex

• American Steel and Alloys Corp. 1945-1955
• American Steel and Aluminum Corp. 1955-2010
• Interstate Battery System of America, Inc. 2015-Present (2015)

Use (Historic)

• Mining, Primary Metals

Largest Documented Workforce

Unknown.

Historic Narrative

The New York-based American Steel and Alloys Corporation established its first Hartford-area branch office in West Hartford, Connecticut in 1945. Officers at the company quickly identified the need to maintain both warehouse and fabrication capabilities in the area and a large lot on Homestead Avenue in Hartford was purchased before the end of the year. A large facility was soon erected in order to store stocks of steel and aluminum for immediate delivery to local industries, however, the firm’s needs quickly outgrew the space. An addition was completed in 1949, and continued growth requiring further expansion just three years later. In 1955, the American Steel and Alloys Corporation was reorganized as the American Steel and Aluminum Corporation. The company continued to maintain its Hartford branch until 2010. Today the plant is occupied by a branch service center of Interstate Battery System of America, Inc.

Number of Existing Buildings

Three (3) adjoining primary blocks.

Dates of Construction

1945, 1949, 1952, ca. 1965, ca. 1980.

Architect

n/a

Builder

n/a

Building Type

• Warehouse / Production Shed

Architectural Description

The former American Steel and Alloys Corporation facility is comprised of three adjoining blocks located on the west side of Homestead Avenue, roughly 600’ south of Homestead Avenue’s intersection with Albany Avenue. The original portion of the plant was built in 1945 and consists of a two-and-a-half-story, 100’ x 140’ steel-frame block with a concrete foundation, red brick walls, and a low-pitch front-facing gable roof. The block was expanded to its present footprint of 100’ x 176’ after a one-story addition was erected adjoining its west (rear) elevation in 1949, this later raised to two stories ca. 1965. The building has rectangular window openings with sills and lintels created by concrete stringcourses running the full width of the façade (west elevation) and wrapping around to the side elevations. The fenestration consists of original and replacement units and is a mix of multi-pane metal sash with both fixed and hopper-style arrangements. The main entry to the facility is located at the southern end of the façade. This consists of a metal and glass entry door flanked by full-height sidelights and with a cantilevered concrete portico above. A two-story addition to the main block was erected adjoining its north elevation in 1952. This originally measured 80’ x 108’, yet was expanded to its current footprint of 80’ x 176’ ca. 1965. The details of the 1952 addition are nearly identical to the original block, however, it stands just two stories tall and has a flat roof. The ca. 1965 addition lacks window openings yet has a large bay door on its north elevation. The two-story, 30’ x 24’ red brick block with a flat roof adjoining the north elevation of the ca. 1965 addition was erected ca. 1980.

Exterior Material(s)

• Brick

Structural System(s)

• Load Bearing Masonry
• Structural Steel or Iron

Roof Form

• Flat
• Gable

Roof Material

• Tar and Gravel

Power Source

• Electricity

Condition

Fair

Condition Notes

The complex is in fair condition. A number of the original windows have been replaced, however, the facility appears reasonably well maintained and structurally sound.

Specific Location

One legal parcel (425 Homestead Avenue) totaling 1.02 acres located on the west side of Homestead Avenue, roughly 600’ south of Homestead Avenue’s intersection with Albany Avenue.

Adjacent To

• Main Roads
• Railroad

Exterior Visible from Public Road?

Yes

Parcel ID / Assessor Record Link

• 152-181-001 (for record, use link and type in address or parcel number) / Link →

Acreage

1.02

Use (Present)

• Commercial

Form Completed By

Lucas A. Karmazinas

Date

08/31/2015

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 Hartford County, H & C.T. Smith, 1855.
6. Atlas of Hartford County, Beers, Baker & Tilden, 1869.
7. Sanborn Map Company, 1885, 1900, 1917, 1920, 1923, 1950.
8. Aerial Survey of Connecticut, 1934, 1965.
9. Hartford City Directories, Various editions.
10. The Hartford Courant, 1945, 1952.