Historic Mills of Connecticut

Companies Associated w/Complex

• A. W. Burrit Co. ca. 1945-1980
• Stratford Lumber and Coal Co. 1915-ca. 1945

Use (Historic)

• Paper & Wood Products

Largest Documented Workforce

10-24 (1939).

Historic Narrative

The Stratford Lumber and Coal Company was organized with $10,000 in capital in July 1915. The original incorporators consisted of Frank H. and Pauline S. Weller, of Stratford, and Edward A. and Florence E. Morse, of Bridgeport. The firm manufactured millwork, as well as served as a wholesale lumber and coal dealer. A shop, yard, and offices were set up on a parcel on the west side of West Broad Street and running along the north side of the New York-New-Haven rail line in Stratford, which housed the firm until around 1945. Despite falling into receivership in just its first year of operation, the Stratford Lumber and Coal Company returned to profitability and remained in business under various owners for three decades before it was acquired by the A.W. Burritt Company, of Bridgeport. A.W. Burritt was a trim mill and lumberyard organized by Arthur W. Burritt in 1893, and this firm operated the former Stratford Lumber and Coal Company mill until 1980.

Number of Existing Buildings

Roughly six (6) primary blocks.

Dates of Construction

ca. 1915, 1946, 1948, 1949, 1985.

Architect

n/a

Builder

n/a

Building Type

• Mill
• Warehouse / Production Shed

Architectural Description

The former Stratford Lumber and Coal Company complex is comprised of roughly six primary adjoining and freestanding blocks located on the west side of West Broad Street, 200’ south of West Broad Street’s intersection with Knowlton and California Streets and on the north side of the New York-New Haven rail line. The plant’s most notable structure is a two-story, 112’ x 131’ red brick trim mill and office building erected ca. 1915. The building fronts on West Broad Street and is of brick pier construction. It has full-height window bays with large rectangular window openings, concrete sills, multi-pane metal sash with hopper-style openings, and a flat roof. There are two entries on the façade (east elevation), each comprised of a single pass-through door with a plain frame surround. A one-story, 24’ x 268’ wood-frame building runs parallel to the rail line approximately 32’ south of the office and trim mill. This was erected ca. 1915 and has a small storefront at its eastern end fronting on West Broad Street. The storefront is accessed via a wood and glass pass-through door that is flanked by large multi-pane windows. Various windows, doors, and loading bays are located throughout the remainder of the building. The remaining buildings associated with the former Stratford Lumber and Coal Company are one-story storage structures located west of the main building. From east to west these measure roughly 75’ x 296’, 75’ x 206’, 32’ x 156’, and 60’ x 175’, and were erected in 1985, 1948, 1946, and 1949, respectively.

Exterior Material(s)

• Aluminum Siding or Paneling
• Brick
• Wood

Structural System(s)

• Load Bearing Masonry
• Structural Steel or Iron
• Wood Frame

Roof Form

• Flat
• Gable
• Round

Roof Material

• Asphalt
• Metal
• Tar and Gravel

Power Source

• Electricity

Condition

Fair

Condition Notes

The complex is in fair condition. The exterior walls of the main block are in need of cleaning and minor repairs, however, the building appears to be well maintained and most of the original windows have been preserved.

Specific Location

One legal parcel (1341 West Broad Street) totaling 7.13 acres located on the west side of West Broad Street, 200’ south of West Broad Street’s intersection with Knowlton and California Streets and on the north side of the New York-New Haven rail line.

Adjacent To

• Railroad

Exterior Visible from Public Road?

Yes

Parcel ID / Assessor Record Link

• 40/9/16/1. / Link →

Acreage

7.13

Use (Present)

• Commercial
• Vacant

Form Completed By

Lucas A. Karmazinas

Date

08/04/2015

Bibliography

1. List of Connecticut Manufacturers, 1922, 1924, 1930, 1932.
2. Directory of Connecticut State Manufacturers, 1936, 1939.
3. Industrial Directory of Connecticut, 1947.
4. Register of War Production Facilities in Connecticut, 1951.
5. Map of Fairfield County; Baker, William A., 1854.
6. Sanborn Map Company, 1924, 1949.
7. Bridgeport City Directory, Various editions.
8. History of Bridgeport and Vicinity, 1917.