Mill Record Newtown

RETURN TO ‘FIND MILLS’

Disclaimer: Content for these properties was compiled in 2014-2017 from a variety of sources and is subject to change. Updates are occasionally made under Property Information, however the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation (dba Preservation Connecticut) makes no representation or warranty that the information is complete or up-to-date.

Complex Name (Common)
S. C. Curtis and Sons Inc.
Complex Name (Historic)
  • S. C. Curtis and Sons Inc.
Address or Location
44 Berkshire Road, Berkshire, Newtown
County
Fairfield
Historic Designation
n/a
Associated Mill Community
n/a
Historic Information

Companies Associated w/Complex

  • S.C. Curtis and Sons Inc. 1845-present

Use (Historic)

Largest Documented Workforce

n/a

Historic Narrative

quoted from Curtis Packaging website: The Berkshire Factory was founded in 1845 by Samuel Curtis to manufacture fancy combs and buttons on the same property in Sandy Hook, Connecticut that the company occupies today. In 1870, Sam Curtis acquired sole interest in the business and later was joined by his son, Henry Gould Curtis. The delicate buttons and combs needed to ship in special rigid boxes. Henry Curtis found it more efficient to construct the boxes on site. In the late 19th Century, S. Curtis and Son began manufacturing two-piece rigid boxes. As the fancy buttons and combs went out of fashion, the packaging business flourished. During the early 1900s, Sam’s grandson William emphasized the production of packaging. By 1920, Curtis exclusively concentrated on designing, printing, and converting folding cartons. In 1950 William’s son Nelson assumed the presidency, launching an era in which Curtis emerged as an innovative leader in custom packaging. Nelson Curtis sold the business to five of its executives in 1980.

Architectural Information

Number of Existing Buildings

n/a

Dates of Construction

19th c. block with modern additions

Architect

n/a

Builder

n/a

Building Type

n/a

Architectural Description

Leo F. Caproni may have designed an addition prior to 1942 (Leo F. Caproni, "Industrial Buildings" 1942 booklet).

Exterior Material(s)

n/a

Structural System(s)

n/a

Roof Form

n/a

Roof Material

n/a

Power Source

n/a

Condition

n/a

Condition Notes

the early structure is enclosed amid later additions

Property Information

Specific Location

overall complex is at NEC of Toddy Hill Road and Turnberry Lane south of Bershire Road

Adjacent To

Exterior Visible from Public Road?

Yes

Parcel ID / Assessor Record Link

Acreage

13.98

Use (Present)

Sources

Form Completed By

n/a

Date

n/a

Bibliography

  1. Curtis Packaging website.
  2. Information, historic photographs and sources for Leo Caproni courtesy Gregg Bateman (2018).
Representative View(s)Click on image to view full file


Photographer

n/a

Photography Date

n/a