Mill Record Stafford

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Disclaimer: Content for these properties was compiled in 2014-2017 from a variety of sources and is subject to change. Updates are occasionally made under Property Information, however the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation (dba Preservation Connecticut) makes no representation or warranty that the information is complete or up-to-date.

Complex Name (Common)
Cyril Johnson Woolen Co.
Complex Name (Historic)
  • Cyril Johnson Woolen Co.
Address or Location
8 Furnace Avenue, Stafford
County
Tolland
Historic Designation
Associated Mill Community
n/a
Historic Information

Companies Associated w/Complex

  • American Woolen Co. 2014-
  • Central Woolen Co. 1887-1907
  • Cyril Johnson Woolen Co. 1907-c.1911
  • Granite Mill Co. 1843-1887
  • Hyde Co. 1841-1843

Use (Historic)

Largest Documented Workforce

90 (1860)

Historic Narrative

The Hyde Co. built the first mill here in 1841. Granite Mill Co. bought the mill in 1843; in 1860 this firm employed 90 people to run 5,000 spindles and 138 looms in manufacture of cotton sheetings. Riverside Woolen Co., under agent Cyril Johnson, bought the mill in 1887, changed its name to Central Woolen Co., and installed 6 sets of cards and 32 looms to make cassimeres; more looms were soon added. Central Woolen made several brick additions, only one of which survives: the 1900 office block at the southeast corner of the granite mill. Cyril Johnson, acting independently, bought the mill in 1907 and ran it for four years. Since then several firms have operated the plant and several buildings have been added. Today the plant produces synthetic cloth on adapted woolen machinery. (Roth) As of 2014, the plant has been occupied by the American Woolen Co. See article in Brown Alumni Monthly Jan/Feb 2019 issue: https://www.brownalumnimagazine.com/articles/2019-01-09/dyed-in-the-wool

Architectural Information

Number of Existing Buildings

Roughly eight (8) blocks.

Dates of Construction

1841, 1900, 1919, 1924

Architect

n/a

Builder

n/a

Building Type

Architectural Description

The 1841 mill, 4-story and 158' x 41', has walls of granite blocks in coursed ashlar, a central stair tower, and a near-flat roof that was probably altered by a later occupant to its present form. The 4-story, 55' x 46' office block at the southeast corner of the granite mill dates to 1900. Several buildings have been added: the 1919 3-story brick-pier mill, 216' x 89' with flat roof, and the 1924 1-story brick-pier dyehouse, 112' x 48' with flat roof, are the most prominent. (Roth)

Exterior Material(s)

Structural System(s)

Roof Form

Roof Material

n/a

Power Source

Condition

Excellent, Good

Condition Notes

n/a

Property Information

Specific Location

2.09 acre parcel on west side of Furnace Avenue between High Street and West Main Street; also the streetside half of a one-story warehouse on the east side of the street opposite High Street

Adjacent To

Exterior Visible from Public Road?

Yes

Parcel ID / Assessor Record Link

Acreage

2.09

Use (Present)

Sources

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. American Woolen Co. website.
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Photographer

n/a

Photography Date

n/a