Historic Mills of Connecticut

Companies Associated w/Complex

• New York Belting and Packing Co. c.1870-1900
• Thor Plastics Corp. 1928-c.1960
• U.S. Rubber Co. 1900-c.1928

Use (Historic)

• Consumer Products, Small Appliances
• Electrical Equipment
• Rubber & Chemicals

Largest Documented Workforce

n/a

Historic Narrative

Meyer and Poppenhusen built a rubber mill here in the early 1850s. All that remains of their mill are the rubble-walled wheelpit and foundation with arched tailrace openings. New York Belting and Packing Co., occupants of the next downstream mill privilege, bought this site in the late 1860s and built a new mill on the old foundations. New York Belting and Packing revamped the water power system, rebuilding the dam and replacing the overshot waterwheel with a Rodney Hunt double-runner horizontal turbine. After U. S. Rubber bought New York Belting and Packing in 1900 the upper factory was used as a reclaiming plant to reprocess used rubber products. Thor Plastics Corp. bought the factory in 1928 and for over 30 years made a variety of plastic products, including Parcheesi games and bakelite electrical components. A recent owner has built a concrete retaining wall for the dam and plans to generate electricity with the turbine, which is now being restored. (Roth)

Number of Existing Buildings

n/a

Dates of Construction

c.1870

Architect

n/a

Builder

n/a

Building Type

• Mill

Architectural Description

The c.1870 brick mill, 74' x 44' with gable roof, has timber framing in the three floors above grade and cast-iron columns in the basement. Segmental-arch lintels and brick sills frame the window openings. There is no stair tower but a brick-walled cupola carries the stairs one story above the level of the roof. A 1-story brick ell, 172' x 31', extends north of the main mill. (Roth)

Exterior Material(s)

• Brick

Structural System(s)

• Load Bearing Masonry
• Post and Beam
• Structural Steel or Iron

Roof Form

• Gable

Roof Material

n/a

Power Source

• Water (Turbine)

Condition

n/a

Condition Notes

n/a

Specific Location

west side of Glen Road north of Riverside Road.

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

• 38-6-30 / Link →

Acreage

3.53

Use (Present)

• Commercial
• Other: For sale 1/2023, alone or with 75 Glen Rd. Had been for sale at auction 10/31/2022, together with 75 Glen Rd.

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. State Register Nomination on file at office of SHPO, Hartford CT.