Historic Mills of Connecticut

Companies Associated w/Complex

• Economy Concrete Company c.1919-c.1930
• High Standard Mfg. Co. #1 c.1945
• Talon Inc., plant #3 c.1950

Use (Historic)

• Consumer Products, Small Appliances
• Fabricated Metal Products
• Firearms, Weapons, Explosives
• Other: cast concrete

Largest Documented Workforce

n/a

Historic Narrative

Economy Concrete Company built the office building to advertise its decorative architectural cast-concrete product. The one-story factory (since demolished) was attached to the rear. The company shut down during the Depression. The High Standard Mfg. Co. was founded in 1926 and made firearms. It occupied the site and had built a new factory by c.1945. The plant was occupied by Talon Inc., a manufacturer of zippers, in the 1950s.

Number of Existing Buildings

Two primary blocks

Dates of Construction

c.1919 (office), pre-1942

Architect

B. G. Goodhue of Cram, Goodhue and Ferguson (office building); Leo F. Caproni (manufacturing building)

Builder

n/a

Building Type

n/a

Architectural Description

Tudor Revival factory office designed by B. G. Goodhue of Cram, Goodhue and Ferguson. Manufacturing building (or some portion) designed by Leo F. Caproni for High Standard Manufacturing before 1942.

Exterior Material(s)

• Concrete

Structural System(s)

n/a

Roof Form

• Gable
• Monitor

Roof Material

n/a

Power Source

n/a

Condition

n/a

Condition Notes

Shell of factory building remains but has been totally remodeled

Specific Location

Two parcels totalling 11.37 acres on the east side of Dixwell Avenue opposite Collins and Newton Streets

Adjacent To

n/a

Exterior Visible from Public Road?

Yes

Parcel ID / Assessor Record Link

• 2226/ 073 / Link →
• 2226/ 074 / Link →

Acreage

11.18

Use (Present)

• Commercial

Form Completed By

n/a

Date

n/a

Bibliography

1. Information, historic photographs and sources for Leo Caproni courtesy Gregg Bateman (2018).
2. Caproni, Leo F., ‘Industrial Buildings’ (1942 booklet)