Historic Mills of Connecticut

Companies Associated w/Complex

• New Departure Co. 1920
• Rawitzer Brothers Woolen Co. 1886-1920
• Wilcox Mill c.1850-c.1870

Use (Historic)

• Fabricated Metal Products
• Textiles
• Transportation

Largest Documented Workforce

n/a

Historic Narrative

Jedediah Wilcox ran a carpet-bag manufactory on this site in 1850. He added production of hoop skirts in 1853 and of Balmoral skirts in the l860s. In 1870 Wilcox produced woolen cloth primarily; the mill held 13 sets of carding machines and employed 150 women, 100 men and 20 children. Several changes of ownership occurred before 1886, when Rawitzer Brothers Woolen Co. bought the mill. This firm stayed until 1920, when New Departure Co. bought the works for ball-bearing production. The present occupant, a formed-metal goods manufacturer, replaced New Departure after World War II. (Roth)

Number of Existing Buildings

n/a

Dates of Construction

1865, 1920

Architect

n/a

Builder

n/a

Building Type

• Loft
• Mill

Architectural Description

The oldest standing structure is the 1865 brick mill, 250' x 56' with segmental-arch lintels. stone sills and a central stair and freight tower; a later occupant removed the mansard roof. [In 1920,] New Departure removed the roof, applied a stucco finish to the walls and built the attached 4-story reinforced concrete factory, about 300' x 250' with brick curtain walls and a flat roof. (Roth)

Exterior Material(s)

• Brick
• Concrete

Structural System(s)

• Structural Concrete

Roof Form

• Flat

Roof Material

n/a

Power Source

n/a

Condition

n/a

Condition Notes

n/a

Specific Location

north side of Pratt Street between Central Street and route 691

Adjacent To

n/a

Exterior Visible from Public Road?

Yes

Parcel ID / Assessor Record Link

• 0302-0258-0004-0028 / Link →

Acreage

12.23

Use (Present)

• Commercial
• Other: Trifecta Ecosystems Inc., hydroponics (2018) 2022 Jan DECD award of $1,800,000 to clean-up and remediate two properties located at 289 and 290 Pratt Street, totaling 14.3 acres. A new 92-unit residential complex will be constructed at 289 Pratt Street with expanded parking for adjacent businesses at 290 Pratt Street.

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).