Historic Mills of Connecticut

Companies Associated w/Complex

• Hathaway & Reiser c.1930-1957

Use (Historic)

• Transportation

Largest Documented Workforce

n/a

Historic Narrative

Quoted from Hathaway, Reiser & Raymond Inc. website: Hathaway, Reiser & Raymond, Inc., had its beginning in 1890 when Alden Reiser relocated his sailmaking loft in Lunenberg, Nova Scotia, to Boston, MA. Reiser then joined forces with Asa Hathaway, who was then in charge of sailmaking at the Herreshoff Mfg. Co. in Bristol, RI. Together, they came to Greenwich, CT, working from several locations on the east side of Greenwich Harbor. For a short period about 1925, Hathaway and Reiser worked out of the Luders Marine Construction Co. in Stamford CT. Throughout this period, they made sails for the titans of sailing including the America's Cup defenders Vigilant, Defender, Columbia, Reliance, and Resolute. By 1930, they had established their loft on River Road in Cos Cob, CT, where the company remained until 1957. In 1947 Edgar L. Raymond, Jr. joined the business as a partner after having made his own sails, working with Reiser and finally giving to his fascination of sailing. He sold Elm Refining, a precious metals refining business, and changed careers. Ed's son, F.P. "Skip" Raymond took over the company when Ed retired, and ran the company until 2002. Skip's long-time managers, Tom Anderson and John Savage, bought the company in 2002, maintaining Hathaway's long tradition of personalized service and the highest quality products. Tom and John continued providing the highest level of service for their customers until they decided to retire in November 2016. When the crew at Norwalk Cove Marina heard of the retirement of the principals, the initial reaction was sadness that another iconic stalwart of the industry was gone. The second reaction was of opportunity, and the third reaction was in the form of a question - how can we help preserve the legacy of Hathaway? The discussions began, and ultimately Norwalk Cove Marina was able to purchase the rigging side of Hathaway. They were fortunate to also attract a 15 year Hathaway employee to join the invigorated Hathaway Rigging at Norwalk Cove department and enlarge the crew that includes the former rigger from McDonald Yacht Rigging and a Cove employee who worked there and was a relative of Hathaway partner, Edgar Raymond. Critical mass had been achieved! Now Hathaway Rigging at Norwalk Cove looks forward to serving you with complete rigging services, including mast stepping / un-stepping, summer refits / re-rigging and upgrade projects, halyards, lifelines, residential rigging projects (and more!). We will bring renewed enthusiasm and a commitment to the 127 year old traditions of quality, integrity and history associated with Hathaways.

Number of Existing Buildings

One

Dates of Construction

late 19th c

Architect

n/a

Builder

n/a

Building Type

• Loft

Architectural Description

From October 2018 report by Wes Haynes, Historic Preservation Services: Core building is rectangular in plan, 30 ft x 100 ft, two stories with gable roof. Original construction as warehouse mid-19th century; remnant of rubble stone wall and arched entrance remain. Majority of current building configuration dates to late-19th or early-20th century enlargement: brick walls with cast stone facing, industrial steel sash windows. Second floor interior retains scribing of sail patterns on second level loft floors.

Exterior Material(s)

• Brick
• Stone
• Stucco

Structural System(s)

• Post and Beam

Roof Form

• Gable

Roof Material

n/a

Power Source

n/a

Condition

n/a

Condition Notes

n/a

Specific Location

On the east side of River Road and west side of the Mianus River, approx. 275 feet south of East Putnam Avenue (Rte 1)

Adjacent To

• Water (for Transport)

Exterior Visible from Public Road?

n/a

Parcel ID / Assessor Record Link

n/a

Acreage

n/a

Use (Present)

• Commercial
• Industrial
• Other: Continued rigging services as of 2016

Form Completed By

n/a

Date

n/a

Bibliography

n/a