Historic Mills of Connecticut

Companies Associated w/Complex

• American Metal Hose Co. c.1910-1945
• Anaconda Copper Co. 1922-
• Benedict and Burnham Mfg. Co. 1843-1900
• Benedict and Burnham Mfg. Co., Division of American Brass Co., aka American Brass Co. South Plant 1900-1922

Use (Historic)

• Fabricated Metal Products
• Mining, Primary Metals

Largest Documented Workforce

n/a

Historic Narrative

Benedict and Burnham Manufacturing Co. grew from Aaron Benedict's button shop, opened in 1812. After skilIed British roller·hands were brought to Waterbury in the late 1820s, Benedict began producing primary brass products (sheet, bar, wire) for use as raw materials by other manufacturers. He also continued making finished consumer goods from brass. Benedict and Burnham Manufacturing Co. incorporated in 1843. Unlike the other large Waterbury brass firms that continued both primary production and fabrication of finished goods, Benedict and Burnham set up nominally separate corporate entities for major lines of fabricated goods. American Pin Co. began as an expanded division of Benedict and Burnham in 1846, followed by Waterbury Button Co. in 1849, Waterbury Clock Co. in 1857 and Waterbury Watch Co. in 1880. The parent firm retained primary production and manufacture of light hardware such as handles, knobs. drawer-pulls, burners, lamps, beading, rivets and hinges. Benedict and Burnham joined American Brass Co. in 1900, one year after three brass producers in the Naugatuck Valley merged to create that holding company. Anaconda Copper Co. bought American Brass in 1922. (Roth) The complex was known as the American Brass Co. South Plant, and the northern part of the complex along Jewelry Street on either side of Benedict Street was occupied for some time in the first half of the 20th century by American Metal Hose Co., a manufacturer of flexible metal hose.

Number of Existing Buildings

Over a dozen (12) blocks.

Dates of Construction

c.1860, c.1892, c.1910s

Architect

n/a

Builder

n/a

Building Type

n/a

Architectural Description

Substantial demolition and alteration have occurred at the plant. One c.1860 brick, gable-roofed, 2 1/2-story factory survives. Next to it stands an 1892 casting or rolling shop, brick, about 80' wide, high 1-story, with stepped-gable facade and monitor roof. Most of the extant fabric dates from 1900 to 1916, when 31 new buildings were erected. (Roth)

Exterior Material(s)

• Brick

Structural System(s)

n/a

Roof Form

• Flat
• Gable
• Monitor

Roof Material

n/a

Power Source

n/a

Condition

n/a

Condition Notes

n/a

Specific Location

One 17.46 acre parcel between South Main Street to the east, Jewelry Street to the north, the Naugatuck River to the west and Washington Avenue to the south.

Adjacent To

• Water (for Power)

Exterior Visible from Public Road?

Yes

Parcel ID / Assessor Record Link

• 0369-0310-0002 buildings 1,2 / Link →

Acreage

17.46

Use (Present)

• Other: All but a couple of buildings on site demo'd 2019-20. DECD awarded $2m in brownfields grant 6/2021 for remaining demolition and remediation. As of 2022, former 20th c brick rolling mill to be reused and 2.5 story 19th c gable roof brick factory and stack survive.

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).