Historic Mills of Connecticut

Companies Associated w/Complex

• General Time Co. 1931-2001
• Seth Thomas Clock Co. 1813-1931

Use (Historic)

• Clocks, Precision Equipment

Largest Documented Workforce

200 (1845)

Historic Narrative

Determined eligible for NR listing by SHPO in 2019. Seth Thomas was a carpenter when he joined Eli Terry, Sr. and Silas Hoadley in a partnership to make tall clocks. Terry left in 1810 to perfect his shelf clock. The two remaining partners continued until 1813, when Thomas began his own clock shop. He bought a small dock factory in Plymouth and started producing tall clocks. More entrepreneur than technological innovator, Thomas adopted many developments of others, such as Terry's perfected shelf clock and Chauncey Jerome's brass clock movement. The firm grew from 20 workers in 1813 to over 200 in the 1845. In 1875, when the western portion of Plymouth became a separate town, the clock company's dominance in the local community was reflected in the town's name: Thomaston. General Time Corp., which purchased Seth Thomas Clock Co. in 1931, continues to produce clocks here [as of 1980]. (Roth) Seth Thomas provided bulkhead clocks for the US Navy during World War I.

Number of Existing Buildings

Roughly eight (8) blocks.

Dates of Construction

c.1850, 1915, 1934, 1938

Architect

n/a

Builder

n/a

Building Type

• Loft
• Warehouse / Production Shed

Architectural Description

The industrial plant standing today on the site of Thomas's original shop includes buildings from 1850 and from 1915 and later. The 20th-century buildings replaced frame factories from the second half of the 19th century. The 1850 frame structures are: a 4-story, 102' x 86' factory; a 1-story, 200' x 32' factory; and a 1-story, 70' x 35' storehouse. The 1915 factory is a 4-story, 380' x 62' reinforced concrete structure with brick curtain walls. Offices, stairs and elevator were located in a semi-detached 51' x 51' block which is surmounted by a clock tower with pyramidal roof. Brick factories were added in 1934 and 1938. (Roth)

Exterior Material(s)

• Brick
• Concrete

Structural System(s)

• Load Bearing Masonry
• Structural Concrete
• Wood Frame

Roof Form

• Flat
• Sawtooth

Roof Material

n/a

Power Source

• Steam

Condition

n/a

Condition Notes

n/a

Specific Location

SEC of Maple and South Main Streets

Adjacent To

• Railroad

Exterior Visible from Public Road?

Yes

Parcel ID / Assessor Record Link

• 48-03-21 / Link →
• 48-03-21 / Link →
• 48-03-21 / Link →

Acreage

12.44

Use (Present)

• Mixed-Use
• Other: Determined eligible for NR listing by SHPO in 2019.
• 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).
2. Seth Thomas archives are held by the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors.