Historic Mills of Connecticut

Companies Associated w/Complex

• Graybar Electric Co. 1962-late-20th c.

Use (Historic)

• Electrical Equipment

Largest Documented Workforce

Unknown.

Historic Narrative

The Graybar Electric Company was incorporated in 1925 after the Western Electric Company separated its electrical supply and telephone manufacturing divisions, thus forming two independent firms. Graybar Electric assumed the electrical supply operations, which in 1924 posted $66,000,000 in sales, the most of any such company in the world at the time. The business was headquartered in New York, New York, and maintained branch offices throughout the country. Connecticut’s initial office was established on Chapel Street in New Haven in 1926, however, a Hartford branch was opened the following year. During the late-1920s, Graybar gained notoriety for developing and manufacturing a series of new radio technologies that improved both broadcasting, reception, and sound amplification capabilities. This work proved profitable into the 1940s, and in 1947, Graybar opened a new 10,000 square-foot office and showroom at 453 New Park Avenue in West Hartford. This served the firm until 1962, when new office and warehouse buildings were erected on Newfield Avenue in West Hartford. Graybar occupied the Newfield Avenue facility into the late-20th century, however, it is currently vacant.

Number of Existing Buildings

Two (2) freestanding primary buildings.

Dates of Construction

c.1963

Architect

n/a

Builder

n/a

Building Type

• Administration
• Warehouse / Production Shed

Architectural Description

The former Graybar Electric Company facility is comprised of two freestanding buildings located on the west side of Newfield Avenue, approximately 800’ south of Newfield Avenue’s intersection with Flatbush Avenue and along the east side of the rail line between Hartford and New Haven. The parcel is set back roughly 150’ from the street. The building closest to Newfield Avenue housed the company’s offices and is a one-story, 126’ x 95’ steel-frame block with a concrete foundation, red brick apron walls, and a flat roof. Two cantilevered porches with round steel columns and flat roofs project from the north (front) elevation, and a section of floor-to-ceiling windows with metal sash (since painted over) formerly provided light into the building from the façade. Small rectangular window openings with concrete sills and metal sash with hopper-style openings are located along the west (side) elevation. The warehouse stands roughly 75’ west of the office. It is a one-story, 250’ x 120’ steel-frame building with a concrete foundation, red brick apron walls, and a flat roof. Several sections of floor-to-ceiling windows with metal sash and both glass and metal panels are located on the east (side) elevation and at the eastern end of the north (front) elevation. Multi-pane ribbon windows with metal sash run along the roofline of the north, west, and south elevations providing light throughout the interior of the building. Roll-up garage-style doors are located on the north and west elevations.

Exterior Material(s)

• Brick

Structural System(s)

• Structural Steel or Iron

Roof Form

• Flat

Roof Material

• Tar and Gravel

Power Source

• Electricity

Condition

Fair

Condition Notes

The complex is in fair condition. A number of the exterior walls are in need of cleaning or minor repairs, however, overall, the building appears to be well maintained.

Specific Location

One legal parcel (231-233 Newfield Avenue) totaling 2.49 acres located on the west side of Newfield Avenue, approximately 800’ south of Newfield Avenue’s intersection with Flatbush Avenue and along the east side of the rail line between Hartford and New Haven. The parcel is set back roughly 150’ from the street.

Adjacent To

• Railroad

Exterior Visible from Public Road?

Yes

Parcel ID / Assessor Record Link

• H13/3781/251B. / Link →

Acreage

2.49

Use (Present)

• Vacant

Form Completed By

Lucas A. Karmazinas

Date

08/17/2015

Bibliography

1. List of Connecticut Manufacturers, 1922, 1924, 1930, 1932.
2. Directory of Connecticut State Manufacturers, 1936, 1939.
3. Industrial Directory of Connecticut, 1947.
4. Register of War Production Facilities in Connecticut, 1951.
5. Atlas of Hartford City and West Hartford Town, Connecticut; L.J. Richards & Co., 1896.
6. Atlas of Hartford City and West Hartford Town, Connecticut; L.J. Richards & Co., 1909.
7. Sanborn Map Company, 1917, 1923, 1950.
8. Aerial Survey of Connecticut, 1934, 1965.
9. Hartford City Directory, Various editions.
10. Hartford Courant, 1925, 1926, 1929, 1947, 1962.