Historic Mills of Connecticut

Companies Associated w/Complex

• C.A. Lindell Co., sash & blind factory 1932
• Canaan Fireproof Garage early 20th c.

Use (Historic)

• Paper & Wood Products

Largest Documented Workforce

n/a

Historic Narrative

woodworking The section of Railroad Street between the commercial blocks and Bragg Street was developed primarily as the bulk product distribution and service garage business district, but few of the original/early establishments survive. Brewer's Garage, an automobile dealership established in 1912 and continuously in operation from its one-story masonry and frame facility at 32 Railroad Street (photograph 2) , is the only such business remaining on the east side of the street. The area to the north of the garage is open. More complete is the west side of the street with its mix of residences and garages that served as repair facilities. Of the industries located south of Main Street and west of the Housatonic Railroad line, only the former Canaan Fireproof Garage, converted to C.A. Lindell's sash and blind factory in 1932, survives (photograph 3) (McCahon). C.A. Lindell was originally established in 1899 by Carl Lindell, Frank Johnson, Charles Nelson, and Charles Peterson as a woodworking business making sashes and blinds. The business was located in a saw mill off of High Street. This was in operation since shortly after Canaan’s establishment in the 1700’s. In 1931 the building burnt to the ground. Carl Lindell moved the business to the brick building near the Canaan Union Depot; it is currently part of the Station Place housing complex. Russell (Red) Riva purchased the business in 1939. Red and his family made sash for only two more years when they began producing cable reels for military applications ... By 1950 Red opened his new hardware store and lumber yard in its current location on Church Street (Lindell web site).

Number of Existing Buildings

1

Dates of Construction

c.1920

Architect

n/a

Builder

n/a

Building Type

• Mill

Architectural Description

n/a

Exterior Material(s)

• Brick

Structural System(s)

• Load Bearing Masonry

Roof Form

• Flat

Roof Material

n/a

Power Source

n/a

Condition

Good

Condition Notes

n/a

Specific Location

Rear of 81 Main Street on west side of railroad track across from the railroad station.


Located in Canaan Village National Historic District (1990).
http://npgallery.nps.gov/nrhp/GetAsset?assetID=94af5d90-eb1d-4f12-9e7b-d748e37df30e

Adjacent To

• Railroad

Exterior Visible from Public Road?

Yes

Parcel ID / Assessor Record Link

22/069-0

Acreage

3.57

Use (Present)

• Residential

Form Completed By

n/a

Date

n/a

Bibliography

1. Lindell, C.A., Hardware & Lumber.
2. McCahon, Mary E. 1990. Canaan Village Historic District National Register Nomination No. 90001800. National Park Service.