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.
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For historical significance see National Register application: http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NRHP/Text/90001158.pdf Simeon North (1765-1852) was given a farm in Berlin by his father. In 1795 he and his wife purchased a sawmill that was on Spruce Brook at the edge of their land. North developed his first factory there. North is generally credited with inventing the milling machine, in approximately 1816. The machine replaced hand filing in the manufacture of firearms, and made it possible to produce interchangeable parts. He contracted with the U.S. Department of War for over five decades, to produce first pistols, and later Hall rifles (named for John Hall of the Harpers Ferry Armory). North moved his main factory to Middletown as business grew, but also retained his original site. The original factory on Spruce Brook, Berlin, was destroyed by a flood in 1857 (North 1913, p.93).
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For description see National Register application: http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NRHP/Text/90001158.pdf
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An archaeological investigation occurred in 1986. The adjacent land to the north is Pistol Creek Park, a passive recreation site. The bridge over Spruce Brook is to be replaced in 2017, with further archaeological oversight. The Berlin Historical Society plans some interpretive materials in the park (Stub).
Address restricted in NRIS. Address provided is closest based on lat/long. The site used was the Rockfall Woolen Company as late as 1913 and they used some of the buildings of the original pistol company.
The site is located near the crossing of Spruce Brook by Spruce Brook Road in Berlin..
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C. Hitchcock
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