Mill Record Manchester

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Disclaimer: Content for these properties was compiled in 2014-2017 from a variety of sources and is subject to change. Updates are occasionally made under Property Information, however the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation (dba Preservation Connecticut) makes no representation or warranty that the information is complete or up-to-date.

Complex Name (Common)
Glastonbury Knitting Co. Mill 3
Complex Name (Historic)
  • Glastonbury Knitting Co. Mill 3
  • Pacific Mfg. Co.
Address or Location
485-489-495-501 Middle Turnpike East, Manchester Green, Manchester
County
Hartford
Historic Designation
Associated Mill Community
n/a
Historic Information

Companies Associated w/Complex

  • Glastonbury Co. 1890-c.1928
  • Glastonbury Knitting Co. c.1860-1890
  • Pacific Mfg. Co. c.1850

Use (Historic)

Largest Documented Workforce

70 (1911)

Historic Narrative

Cotton production in the Manchester Green area began in the late eighteenth century when the Pitkin family (better known for their glass factory) built a cotton mill on a small stream called Bigelow Brook. After several fires destroyed previous mills, the current mill building was constructed c.1861, and later sold to Addison L. Clark, president of the Glastonbury Knitting Company, established in 1855 in Glastonbury. In 1890, the mill’s ownership was transferred to the Glastonbury Company, which operated the Manchester mill as well as one in Glastonbury. The company specialized in long men’s underwear, and had government contracts for military clothing during the First World War. At the start of the Great Depression, the mill closed. The building has been occupied by a variety of retail operations over the years. See the 2018 State Register nomination form.

Architectural Information

Number of Existing Buildings

Five (5) primary blocks.

Dates of Construction

c.1861, c.1890 with modern additions, 1901

Architect

n/a

Builder

n/a

Building Type

Architectural Description

The complex consists of five blocks, the largest and oldest, two-story brick with flat roof and water tower (approx. 112 ft. by 55 ft. without the tower) dates to c.1860-1870. It is located on the south side of the complex along Middle Turnpike. The two-story brick office building approx. 40 ft. by 30 ft.) off its northwest corner was constructed by 1896, originally for coal storage for the boiler, and has a low pitch gable roof. Two modern additions have been built to the rear and north, as well as on the south of the office block. A two-story brick warehouse to the west on the corner of Woodbridge and Middle Turnpike East was built by 1901; it is of brick pier construction (approx. 100 ft. by 50 ft.) with segmental arch windows (though the second floor windows have for the most part been altered) and gable roof with central crossing front gable.

Exterior Material(s)

Structural System(s)

Roof Form

Roof Material

n/a

Power Source

Condition

Good, Fair, Deteriorated

Condition Notes

The main mill block and tower have been sheathed in aluminum siding, and window openings appear to have been altered. The windows and openings of the free standing brick warehouse have been modified.

Property Information

Specific Location

The former Glastonbury Knitting Mill in Manchester, Connecticut is located on 3.38 acres just northeast of the Manchester Green, along Middle Turnpike East.

Adjacent To

Exterior Visible from Public Road?

Yes

Parcel ID / Assessor Record Link

Acreage

3.38

Use (Present)

  • Other: Woodbridge Mills, rehab for senior housing planned for 2020.
  • Vacant
Sources

Form Completed By

Michael Forino

Date

n/a

Bibliography

  1. 1947 Industrial Directory of Connecticut.
  2. The Hartford Courant, 1918-1936.
  3. Sanborn Insurance Atlases.
  4. Fibre and Fabric: The American Textile Trade Review, Vol. 54, No. 1382 (Boston: September 2,1911).
Representative View(s)Click on image to view full file


Photographer

n/a

Photography Date

n/a