Historic Mills of Connecticut

Companies Associated w/Complex

• William Gilbert Clock Co.

Use (Historic)

• Clocks, Precision Equipment

Largest Documented Workforce

500 (1910)

Historic Narrative

For historical significance see National Register application (1984): http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NRHP/Text/84000494.pdf In the 1840s William Gilbert and Lucius Clarke started a clock shop on this site, which had been used for clockmaking as early as 1807. Gilbert gained full control in 1866 and incorporated the business as William L. Gilbert Clock Co. in 1871. His line consisted of wall and shelf clocks in 8-day or 30-hour models with a broad array of cabinet designs. The shop burned in 1870, whereupon Gilbert erected a new plant. When the last 1904 mill was built the firm employed some 500 workers who produced an average of 2,000 clocks per day. The company closed in the early 1960s. The only building presently occupied, the finishing mill, houses the casting operations of an appliance manufacturer. (Roth)

Number of Existing Buildings

n/a

Dates of Construction

1870, 1904

Architect

n/a

Builder

n/a

Building Type

n/a

Architectural Description

For description see National Register application: http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NRHP/Text/84000494.pdf The 4-story brick-pier factory that continues to stand alongside the Still River north of Wallens St. dates to 1870. This 151' x 38' mill, with hipped roof, segmental-arch lintels, stone sills, and corner stair tower with mansard roof, housed the woodworking operations for case production. A 3-story, 36' x 20' wing held offices. To the east stands the brick, 1-story, irregular-shaped boiler house and coal dump, with two Bigelow Co. boilers of unknown vintage. South of the case mill was the 1872 movement factory which burned in 1975. The 1904, 4-story, 133' x 60' finishing mill stands east of the boiler house. Also of brick-pier construction, it features a flat roof, corner stair tower with hipped roof, and two-ply, slowburn flooring. (Roth)

Exterior Material(s)

• Brick

Structural System(s)

n/a

Roof Form

• Flat
• Mansard

Roof Material

n/a

Power Source

n/a

Condition

n/a

Condition Notes

n/a

Specific Location

north site of Wallens Street between White Street to the east and the Still River to the west

Adjacent To

n/a

Exterior Visible from Public Road?

Yes

Parcel ID / Assessor Record Link

• 108/ 034/ 009 / Link →

Acreage

2.21

Use (Present)

• Residential

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).