Historic Mills of Connecticut

Companies Associated w/Complex

• Connecticut Fat Rendering and Fertilizing Corp. 1903-1948
• Connecticut Motor Lines Inc. 1950-ca. 1958

Use (Historic)

• Food, Beverage, Tobacco
• Transportation

Largest Documented Workforce

10-24 (1939).

Historic Narrative

The idea to establish the Connecticut Fat Rendering and Fertilizer Company was first discussed at a convention of the state’s butchers and meatmarket men held in 1900. The concept involved creating a cooperative fat rendering plant that might be accessible to all of the individuals in these fields and that, it was hoped, would reduce the cost and hassle of disposing the unwanted byproducts of processing animals for various uses. A formal report was submitted at a June 1902 convention held in Bridgeport and its favorable reception let to the formation of a committee that would organize the operation and erect a plant. The company was officially incorporated in November 1902 and its initial capital stock of $50,000 was divided into 2,000 shares and sold to various individuals associated with the meat processing industry. This provided funding for the erection of a plant in West Haven, which was operational by September 1903. The Connecticut Fat Rendering and Fertilizer Company was led by Jacob W. Everett of New Haven as president, and W.J. Tolhurst of Hartford as treasurer. As indicated by the firm’s title, the West Haven plant was utilized for fat rendering (among the final products being tallow and poultry feed) and fertilizer production, however, glue was also manufactured on site. The West Haven factory continued to operate until 1948, by which time it was led by Albert F. Ridinger, of the New Haven meat market of A.D. Ridinger and Son. After the cessation of activities under the Connecticut Fat Rendering and Fertilizer Company the factory fell vacant until 1950, whereupon it was acquired by the Connecticut Motor Lines, Inc., a New Haven trucking company. Connecticut Motor Lines occupied the building until the firm filed for bankruptcy and closed its doors during the late 1950s.

Number of Existing Buildings

Roughly four (4) adjoining blocks.

Dates of Construction

1903, ca. 1950, ca. 1951-1965.

Architect

n/a

Builder

n/a

Building Type

• Mill
• Powerhouse

Architectural Description

The former Connecticut Fat Rendering and Fertilizer Company plant is comprised of roughly four primary adjoining blocks located on the east side of Front Avenue, approximately 475’ north of Front Avenue’s intersection with Alling Street Ext. The plant is set back some 350’ from the street and is actually behind (east) of the parcel identified as 235 Front Street. Two of the four blocks were erected as part of the original mill in 1903. These consist of a one-story, 58’ x 46’ red brick boiler house and a two-story, 80’ x 40’ red brick manufacturing building. They largely share similar details including segmental-arched window openings with stone sills, and broad cornices with brick dentils and rows of brick corbels lining their flat roofs. A portion of the boiler house’s façade (south elevation) appears to have been reconstructed at some point during the 1920s or 1930s as the brickwork differs from that throughout the remainder of the plant and the windows consist of rectangular openings with multi-pane metal sash. A substantial addition to the plant was completed ca. 1950. This consists of a one-story 142’ x 104’ steel frame and concrete block storage building erected on the east side of the two-story block. The flat-roofed building replaced an earlier one-story brick structure and has seven open bays spanning its façade (south elevation). A final addition to the plant consists of a one-story, 115’ x 40’ concrete block ell erected on the north side of the 1903 buildings at some point between 1951 and 1965.

Exterior Material(s)

• Brick
• Concrete Block

Structural System(s)

• Load Bearing Masonry
• Structural Steel or Iron

Roof Form

• Flat

Roof Material

• Asphalt
• Tar and Gravel

Power Source

• Electricity
• Steam

Condition

Deteriorated

Condition Notes

The complex is in a deteriorated state. The majority of the window sash or glazing is missing throughout the plant and the roofs of the original blocks have either collapsed or appear to be on the verge of doing so. Immediate repairs are needed to preserve the plant. Large fire 8/2018; https://www.ctfirephoto.org/Glenn-Duda1/Vacant-building-fire-Front-St-West-Haven-CT-040218/.

Specific Location

One legal parcel (239 Front Avenue) totaling 5.6 acres located on the east side of Front Avenue, approximately 475’ north of Front Avenue’s intersection with Alling Street Ext.

Adjacent To

n/a

Exterior Visible from Public Road?

Yes

Parcel ID / Assessor Record Link

• 061/0012/0/0002. / Link →

Acreage

5.6

Use (Present)

• Abandoned

Form Completed By

Lucas A. Karmazinas

Date

08/04/2015

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 New Haven County; Clark, Richard, 1859.
6. Atlas of New Haven County, Beers, Ellis & Soule, 1868.
7. Aerial Survey of Connecticut, 1934, 1965.
8. Sanborn Map Company, 1901, 1923, 1951.
9. A Modern History of New Haven and Eastern New Haven County, 1920.
10. Hartford Courant, 1902-1903.
11. Bridgeport Post, 1958.