Historic Mills of Connecticut

Companies Associated w/Complex

• Fox & Becker Granite Co. c.1900-present

Use (Historic)

• Mining, Primary Metals

Largest Documented Workforce

n/a

Historic Narrative

The most interesting historic structure on the site is the stationary iron derrick that dates to c.1900 and is 33 feet high. Fox-Becker Granite Co. runs the Bristol Memorial Works on site. The following information is from the Fox-Becker website: Fox-Becker Granite Company has served Connecticut families for over 100 years. Started in 1898 on the South side of Rapallo Avenue, Middletown, Fox-Becker moved to the North side for better access to the rail line [very early on, between 1898 and 1901]. It is now located at 10 Rapallo Avenue, in Middletown, Connecticut, between Main Street and Route 9 in the North End, where it is a landmark with many locals and Wesleyan University fine arts students. The latter find our age old trade fascinating and our 33 feet high on-site derrick a captivating photography subject with an interesting history to its origins! Through commitment to quality, attention to detail and real customer service Fox-Becker continues to provide their customers with fine and fitting memorials. Whether designing a family memorial, an individual memorial or a community memorial you can count on the staff at Fox-Becker to guide you through the process. John B. Sterry, Jr's (President) underlying philosophy behind all jobs at Fox-Becker is "Qualita Prima Di Tutto ~~ Quality Before All Else". Unfazed by strong competition from younger and smaller memorial companies nearby, Fox-Becker has built a strong reputation as the premier granite memorialist in Middletown over the years. Among its more notable work are memorials designed for the former Governor of Connecticut Chester Bowles, and his wife, at River View Cemetery in Essex; renowned writer & novelist William Manchester, and his wife, at Indian Hill cemetery; former Governor and Legislator of Connecticut William E. Baldwin, at Indian Hill Cemetery; Middlesex Superior Courts dedication signage in memory of William Baldwin; and more recently, the Portland Veterans' Memorial honoring all Portland veterans, dead or alive, for their bravery in the 1st & 2nd World Wars, The Korean, Vietnam & Persian Gulf Wars. The final product now stands on a site at the local Town Hall, symbolizing the year-long labor and dedication put into making this project of almost 1,500 names a reality and permanent reminder.

Number of Existing Buildings

two

Dates of Construction

c.1900

Architect

n/a

Builder

n/a

Building Type

• Administration
• Warehouse / Production Shed

Architectural Description

The basic configuration of the site is unchanged since its early years. A long, rectangular multi-unit pent-roof shed runs along the western property boundary about 65 feet back from Rapallo Ave. It houses an electric motor and cutting operations. The electric motor runs the stationary iron derrick, which is connected to the shed by iron pipes and framework. The office building, about 40 feet from the street, has been rebuilt/altered over time.

Exterior Material(s)

• Wood

Structural System(s)

n/a

Roof Form

n/a

Roof Material

n/a

Power Source

• Electricity

Condition

Good

Condition Notes

n/a

Specific Location

On a 0.45 acre lot at the northeast end of Rapallo Avenue along the railroad tracks in the north end of Middletown.

Adjacent To

• Railroad

Exterior Visible from Public Road?

Yes

Parcel ID / Assessor Record Link

• 22/ / 0212 / Link →

Acreage

0.45

Use (Present)

• Industrial
• Other: The monument works are still run by Fox-Becker Granite Co.

Form Completed By

n/a

Date

n/a

Bibliography

n/a