Historic Mills of Connecticut

Companies Associated w/Complex

• Connecticut Mills Co. 1909-1929
• Powdrell Alexander Co. 1929-1952
• Risom Mfg. Co. c.1960s

Use (Historic)

• Textiles

Largest Documented Workforce

n/a

Historic Narrative

Connecticut Mills Co., formed in 1909, differed in two important ways from its predecessors in Windham County cotton production. First, it wove duck specifically intended for use as laminating material in automobile tires, a product most characteristic of the 20th century. Second, it never used water power but relied on steam. The plant was located next to the (former) Norwich and Worcester Railroad, about one mile north of the center of Danielson. Production began in a building several feet from the tracks that the railroad had probably used for shops or storage. [...] In 1926 [the firm decided] to move half the machinery from Danielson to facilities in the South. By 1929 Connecticut Mills Co. had left the stage and the Powdrell and Alexander curtain works occupied the mills. A furniture company now uses the mills. (Roth)

Number of Existing Buildings

Three (3) primary blocks with additions.

Dates of Construction

1909, 1915

Architect

n/a

Builder

n/a

Building Type

• Mill
• Powerhouse

Architectural Description

[The early building used by Connecticut Mills] has been demolished, but the Connecticut Mills 1909 boiler house continues to stand. It is brick, 65' x 54' with a monitor roof. In 1915 the firm built the two brick mills seen today. The 4-story, 308' x 51' mill and the 3-story, 204' x 51' mill were built end-to-end and parallel to the tracks. Both have central stair towers and segmental arch windows. (Roth)

Exterior Material(s)

• Brick

Structural System(s)

n/a

Roof Form

• Gable
• Monitor

Roof Material

n/a

Power Source

• Steam

Condition

n/a

Condition Notes

n/a

Specific Location

7.5 acres between Connecticut Mills Avenue to the east and the railroad to the west, north of North Street, east of Five Mile River

Adjacent To

• Water (for Power)
• Railroad

Exterior Visible from Public Road?

Yes

Parcel ID / Assessor Record Link

• 159-3 / Link →

Acreage

7.5

Use (Present)

• Other: Demolition/salvage contracted 2017; northernmost modern sections to remain and for sale.
• Vacant

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).