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180 (1922).
This location at the point of Trading Cove Brook’s entry into Trading Cove has long been the site of industrial activity. An 1854 map of New London County indicates a gristmill in operation on the site at that time, while by 1868 this had been repurposed for use as a shoddy mill. By the early 1890s, the property was occupied by the Thames Valley Mills, which consisted of several two-story buildings used for the production of woolen flannel. The Thames Valley Mills were operated by the Hall Brothers Company, which was formed by three brothers, Joseph, Benjamin, and George Hall, who also ran the Hallville Woolen Mill in Preston, Connecticut. During the 1890s, the Norwich plant employed 50 hands and produced 350,000 yards of flannel annually. The factory was substantially expanded during the early-1900s and by 1920 it had been expanded to four times the size of the ca. 1890 plant. Joseph Hall left Hall Brothers around 1920 and formed Joseph Hall and Sons along with his son Joseph H. Hall. The firm acquired the Thames Valley Mill and renamed it the Mohegan Mills. This was adapted for the production of dress goods and cloakings and by 1922 employed 180 hands. The company was managed by Joseph Hall, president and treasurer; Raymond Hall, vice-president; and Joseph H. Hall, superintendent. Mohegan Mills continued to operate into the late 1930s, however, by 1938, the firm had been dissolved.
Roughly seven (7) primary blocks.
ca. 1920, ca.1930.
n/a
n/a
The former Thames Valley Mills plant is comprised of approximately seven primary adjoining blocks located at the northeast corner of the intersection of West Thames Street and the New London Turnpike, and at the point of Trading Cove Brook’s entry into Trading Cove. A substantial portion of the plant, including the original Thames Valley Mill, were demolished during the middle of the 20th century, however, several of the remaining blocks were erected as part of a significant expansion project ca. 1920, and all of the surviving buildings appear to have been completed by 1934. The two most notable blocks include a two-story, 130’ x 56 reinforced concrete manufacturing building located on the eastern side of the complex, and a one-story, 26’ x 141’ reinforced concrete block adjoining the former building’s southern elevation and extending to the west. The two blocks were built ca. 1920 and form an L-shaped footprint. Both have low-pitch gable roofs. While the details of the western block are largely obscured by later, one-story concrete block additions erected on the interior side of the plant ca. 1930, the eastern building has reinforced concrete slab floors, reinforced concrete piers, and large window openings. A number of the windows have been boarded up or reduced in size, however a few of the original multi-pane metal sash with hopper style openings survive.
Fair
The factory is in fair condition. Although many of the exterior walls of the plant are in need of repairs, and most of the original windows have been removed and the openings boarded up, the facility appears structurally sound.
One legal parcel (812 West Thames Street) totaling 2.72-acres located at the northeast corner of the intersection of West Thames Street and the New London Turnpike, and at the point of Trading Cove Brook’s entry into Trading Cove.
Yes
2.72
Lucas A. Karmazinas
06/24/2015