Historic Mills of Connecticut

Companies Associated w/Complex

• American Woolen Co. c.1920s-1929
• Colt Plastics Co. Inc. 1978-present
• Connecticut Cordage Co. 1933
• Danielson Mfg. Co. (Danco) c.1930s
• Elmville Woolen Mill c.1903
• Glen Worsted Co./Thistle Worsted Mill c.1911
• Killingly Worsted 1915-c.1920s

Use (Historic)

• Electrical Equipment
• Firearms, Weapons, Explosives
• Rubber & Chemicals
• Textiles

Largest Documented Workforce

80 (1886)

Historic Narrative

The village of Elmville abuts Whetsone Brook just above its outlet into the Five Mile River. Woolen manufacturer Alfred Potter built the present mill to replace a frame mill that had been here since at least the 1830s. C. D. and C. S. Chase bought the mill in 1886. Employing about 80 people, they ran four sets of cards and 25 broadlooms in production of fancy cassimeres. Glen Worsted Co. succeeded the Chases, then Killingly Worsted Co. took over in 1915. American Woolen Co. occupied the mill in the 1920s. (American Woolen designated it Whitestone Mill, not to be confused with Westcott and Pray's 1858 Whitestone Mill, about 2 1/2 miles upstream.) It was idle between 1929 and 1933, when Connecticut Cordage Co. began operating here. A plastics firm now occupies the mill. (Roth) Danielson Mfg Co., a mid-20th century occupant made loom supplies and textile machinery, and apparently moved into plastic injection molding, becoming Plastock (now located in Putnam). Colt Plastics Co. Inc. was established in 1920 as a division of Colt's Patent Fire Arms Mfg. Co. and was originally located in Hartford. The firm made molded plastic gun parts, buttons, buckles and Bakelite products such as humidors and electrical outlets, using 'Coltrock', a patented molding compound. Starting in the 1930s, it began to specialize in packaging jars for the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries, including for clients Elizabeth Arden and Yardley. Colt Plastics was sold off in 1955 but retained its name. It moved to the Elmville location in 1978.

Number of Existing Buildings

Two (2) primary blocks.

Dates of Construction

c.1860

Architect

n/a

Builder

n/a

Building Type

• Mill
• Powerhouse

Architectural Description

The 3-story, 175' x 50' brick-pier mill has a low-pitched gable roof and a stair tower with loading doors. Windows are segmentally arched and have stone sills. There is a single round window in each gable end. A boiler house adjoins the mill but power was primarily by water. The 9'-high dam, made of squared stone blocks, was also rebuilt in the mid-1870s. (Roth)

Exterior Material(s)

• Brick

Structural System(s)

n/a

Roof Form

• Gable

Roof Material

n/a

Power Source

n/a

Condition

n/a

Condition Notes

n/a

Specific Location

One 3.2 acre parcel at the SEC of North Main Street and Dog Hill Road.

Adjacent To

• Water (for Power)

Exterior Visible from Public Road?

Yes

Parcel ID / Assessor Record Link

• 138/17 / Link →

Acreage

3.2

Use (Present)

• Industrial

Form Completed By

Renée Tribert

Date

December 2016

Bibliography

1. Roth, Matthew, et al, Connecticut: An Inventory of Historic Engineering and Industrial Sites (Washington DC: SIA, 1981).
2. Colt Plastics Company website.