Historic Mills of Connecticut

Companies Associated w/Complex

• Bridgeport Wood Finishing Co.
• Bridgeport Wood Finishing Co.

Use (Historic)

• Paper & Wood Products

Largest Documented Workforce

n/a

Historic Narrative

Bridgeport Wood Finishing Co., maker of mineral abrasives, moved from Fort Ann, NY, to this site in 1881. The firm blasted the wheelpit and races out of solid bedrock. Besides power, this location at the Housatonic and Still Rivers offered several large deposits of silica bearing rock within a few miles. The firm made silica abrasives through a combination of thermal and mechanical (crushing and grinding) processes. (Roth)

Number of Existing Buildings

n/a

Dates of Construction

n/a

Architect

n/a

Builder

n/a

Building Type

• Archaeological site

Architectural Description

Factory buildings are destroyed except for foundations, but two kilns survive. The larger kiln, about 18' high and 12' square at the base, has fieldstone outer walls. The smaller, about 14' high and 10' square at the base, has common brick outer walls. Both open-top furnaces are lined with fire brick. The foundation of the largest building, 120' x 40', was designed for heavy loading: a center course of footings stands between and parallel to the long foundation walls, and the entire foundation is made of granite blocks no smaller than 3' x 3' x 6'. It seems likely that this building housed the grinding equipment, which was very heavy, consisting of a pavement of stone blocks with movable blocks above. (Roth)

Exterior Material(s)

n/a

Structural System(s)

n/a

Roof Form

n/a

Roof Material

n/a

Power Source

n/a

Condition

n/a

Condition Notes

n/a

Specific Location

north side of Still River Drive between Housatonic River to the east and railroad bed to the west

Adjacent To

• Water (for Power)

Exterior Visible from Public Road?

Yes

Parcel ID / Assessor Record Link

n/a

Acreage

n/a

Use (Present)

• Other: Archaeological preserve

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).