Historic Mills of Connecticut

Companies Associated w/Complex

• Diamondville Machine Works 1840-ca. 1869
• J.R. Washburn Machine Co. ca. 1869-1897
• Riverside Belting Co. 1935-1952

Use (Historic)

• Machine Tools, Machinery
• Textiles

Largest Documented Workforce

Unknown.

Historic Narrative

The former Diamondville Machine Works mill appears to have originally been constructed in 1840 for Simon Fairmon Jr., who manufactured chucks at the plant. During his tenure occupying the property, Fairmon is credited with training the machinists that would go on to found a number of notable Connecticut machine shops, including the Whiton Works in New London, the Horton Works in Windsor Locks, and the Cushman Chuck Company in Hartford. Fairmon occupied the plant until the late-1860s, whereupon it passed to John R. Washburn, who continued its use as a machine shop. Washburn changed the name of the operation to the J.R. Washburn Machine Company, which remained in business for roughly 30 years. In 1897, Washburn put the plant and all of its machinery up for auction and it was eventually acquired by a Mr. Pownall, who continued the machine works for an unknown amount of time. After Pownall, the building was used as a thread shop by the Perkins Company, a fishing line manufactory by the Baker family, and then returning to a machine shop under an Aaron Weatherby. The mill’s final use as a manufacturing plant began in the 1930s, when it was purchased by Samuel C. and Charles F. Wilson, the proprietors of the Riverside Belting Company. The Wilsons formerly maintained a mill in Norwich, Connecticut, but moved their operations to West Stafford in 1935. The firm produced lines of flat and round leather belting for use in sawmills and manufacturing plants and they remained in production until 1952.

Number of Existing Buildings

Five (5) adjoining blocks.

Dates of Construction

ca. 1840, Mid-to-late-19th c.

Architect

n/a

Builder

n/a

Building Type

• Mill

Architectural Description

The former Diamondville Machine Works mill is comprised of roughly five adjoining blocks set back roughly 350’ northeast of the intersection of West Stafford and Hampden Roads. The factory stands approximately 250’ west of Diamond Ledge Brook, which was the sole power source used throughout the mill’s history. The core of the factory consists of a two-story, 21’ x 37’ frame manufacturing building. The structure is of Greek Revival styling and has wood clapboard sheathing, corner pilasters, a wide entablature with cornice returns, and a front-facing gable roof. Fenestration consists of irregularly-spaced double-hung frame sash. These are found in a variety of arrangements, including twelve-over-eight and two-over-two. A rectangular wood cupola with horizontal vents and a pyramidal roof is located near the southern end of the building’s roofline. Four two-story frame ells, these measuring 11’ x 14’, 14’ x 14’, 16’ x 24’, and 10’ x 24’, are located at the northern end of the main block adjoining its east, west, and north elevations. The ells are of similar detailing to the primary building and have either shed or gable roofs.

Exterior Material(s)

• Wood

Structural System(s)

• Wood Frame

Roof Form

• Gable
• Shed

Roof Material

• Asphalt

Power Source

• Water (Turbine)
• Water (Wheel)

Condition

Deteriorated

Condition Notes

The factory is in deteriorated condition. The clapboard siding appears to have gone unpainted for some time and many of the windows and roofs are poorly maintained as well. The structural condition is unknown.

Specific Location

One 1.75-acre parcel (187 West Stafford Road) set back roughly 350’ northeast of the intersection of West Stafford and Hampden Roads.

Adjacent To

• Water (for Power)

Exterior Visible from Public Road?

Yes

Parcel ID / Assessor Record Link

• 45/ / 77 / Link →

Acreage

1.75

Use (Present)

• Vacant

Form Completed By

Lucas A. Karmazinas

Date

02/24/2015

Bibliography

1. Map of Tolland County, Wm. C. Eaton & H.C. Osborn, 1857.
2. Atlas of Tolland County, O.W. Gray, 1869.
3. Sanborn Map Company, 1884, 1892, 1897, 1911, 1921, 1930, 1943.
4. Aerial Survey of Connecticut, 1934, 1965.
5. Birdseye View of Stafford Springs, Conn., O.H. Bailey & Co., 1878.
6. List of Connecticut Manufacturers, 1922, 1924, 1930, 1932.
7. Directory of Connecticut State Manufacturers, 1936, 1939.
8. Industrial Directory of Connecticut, 1947.
9. Register of War Production Facilities in Connecticut, 1951.
10. Hartford Courant, 1897.
11. History of the Town of Stafford, Stafford Library Assoc., 1935.
12. Stafford, Connecticut, 250th Anniversary, 1969.
13. Stafford Illustrated, Young, William, 1895.
14. Town of Stafford HRI, Gibbs, James, 1993.