Historic Mills of Connecticut

Companies Associated w/Complex

• C. M. Robertson Paper Co. c.1900-
• Montville Paper Co. c.1859-c.1865
• Robertson Paper Box Co. c.1866-after 1896

Use (Historic)

• Paper & Wood Products

Largest Documented Workforce

n/a

Historic Narrative

The sixth water privilege on the Oxoboxo River was first developed in 1852 by Gideon Palmer. C. M. Robertson bought it in 1866 for a paper mill. Robertson Paper Box Co. still operates here, but most of the plant is of recent vintage, except for one stone mill and the brick boiler house. (Roth) The firm makes paper and folding paper boxes, including doctors cases, and has been awarded several patents for removable carton inserts (1937), tilt-top boxes, such as for cigarettes or candy (1945), partitioned cartons (1950), and lightbulb boxes (1963). Locate 'The Old Stone Mill on the Oxoboxo: Robertson Paper and Boxes Since 1850,' written by Ralph Powers in 1957.

Number of Existing Buildings

Two (2) blocks and modern buildings.

Dates of Construction

c.1852, c.1890

Architect

n/a

Builder

n/a

Building Type

• Mill

Architectural Description

The 2-story stone mill, with coursed granite walls and a near-flat roof, probably dates from Robertson's initial years of operation; it has been incorporated into a later brick factory. The brick boiler house, one high story tall and with round-arched window openings, was built c.1890. (Roth)

Exterior Material(s)

• Brick
• Stone

Structural System(s)

n/a

Roof Form

• Flat

Roof Material

n/a

Power Source

n/a

Condition

Excellent, Good

Condition Notes

n/a

Specific Location

One 6.0 acre parcel on the southeast side of Robertson Road between Maple Avenue to the west and Route 163 to the east.
Individually listed on the State Register of Historic Places.

Adjacent To

• Water (for Power)

Exterior Visible from Public Road?

Yes

Parcel ID / Assessor Record Link

• 023/ 076/ 000 (for record, use link and type in address or parcel number) / Link →

Acreage

6.0

Use (Present)

• Industrial

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).
2. US Patent Abstracts, accessed via Google.
3. Patent information accessed through Google: Patent 2367476 - Tyrseck Walter J.
4. Patent information accessed through Google: Patent 3116004 - Hackenberg Robert A, Tyrseck Walter J.
5. Patent information accessed through Google: Patent 2660361 - Tyrseck Walter J.
6. State Register Nomination on file at office of SHPO, Hartford CT.