Historic Mills of Connecticut

Companies Associated w/Complex

• Airflo Instrument Co.
• American Silver Co. 1869-c.1880
• Connecticut Arms and Mfg. Co. 1860-1869
• Curtis Co. c.1846-1860
• Williams Brothers Silver Co. c.1880-post WWII

Use (Historic)

• Fabricated Metal Products
• Firearms, Weapons, Explosives

Largest Documented Workforce

n/a

Historic Narrative

This site on Salmon Brook had been used for production of kitchen utensils since 1850, but the present brick factory complex was erected during the Civil War by Thomas J. Vail's Connecticut Arms and Manufacturing Co., a rifle producer. Vail apparently overextended his firm in construction of these buildings, and went bankrupt in 1869. Williams Brothers Silver Co. bought the property in the l870s. Silver and flatware were made here until after World War II, when a furniture producer bought the site. (Roth)

Number of Existing Buildings

n/a

Dates of Construction

1863

Architect

n/a

Builder

n/a

Building Type

n/a

Architectural Description

The complex consists of eight buildings, including three contiguous gable-roofed, 3 l/2-story factories, 80' x 40', 70' x 59' and 60' x 46'. A detached factory, 2-story and about 120' x 40', has a 4-story, hip-roofed stair tower. Much of the 1863 fabric remains sound despite extensive alterations and additions. (Roth)

Exterior Material(s)

• Brick

Structural System(s)

• Load Bearing Masonry

Roof Form

• Flat
• Gable

Roof Material

n/a

Power Source

n/a

Condition

n/a

Condition Notes

n/a

Specific Location

two parcels off the north side of Naubuc Avenue along the Salmon Brook west of Main Street

Located in Curtisville Historic District (1992).
http://npgallery.nps.gov/nrhp/GetAsset?assetID=5f88ad5f-3f36-4eb4-b12e-6a3ff850f6ce

Adjacent To

n/a

Exterior Visible from Public Road?

Yes

Parcel ID / Assessor Record Link

• 11756 (for record, use link and type in address or parcel number) / Link →
• 11728 (for record, use link and type in address or parcel number) / Link →

Acreage

3.32; 1.4

Use (Present)

• Commercial
• Industrial
• Other: Western factory building at 122 Naubuc Ave for sale 12/2018. Office building at 122A Naubuc Ave for sale 1/2023.
• Vacant

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).
2. Cunningham, Jan. 1992. Curtisville Historic District National Register Nomination No. 92001638. National Park Service.