Historic Mills of Connecticut

Companies Associated w/Complex

• Watertown Mfg. Co. c.1918

Use (Historic)

• Consumer Products, Small Appliances
• Rubber & Chemicals

Largest Documented Workforce

n/a

Historic Narrative

This was the site of the first factory for M. Heminway and Sons Silk Co., started in the 1840s to produce spooled sewing silk. Steele Brook was also dammed at that time to create Heminway Pond, the mill pond. In 1912, Heminway built a new factory across the street on the south side of Echo Lake Road, moving operations there. By the 1950s, the factory site was occupied by Watertown Manufacturing Company, which made Bakelite and plastic products under the tradenames Lifetime and Watertown Ware.

Number of Existing Buildings

n/a

Dates of Construction

c.1900

Architect

n/a

Builder

n/a

Building Type

n/a

Architectural Description

The original three-story factory was demolished in stages: the eastern block by the 1940s, and the southern block after the flood of 1955. Existing buildings are early- to mid- 20th century.

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

n/a

Specific Location

NWC Echo Lake Road and Porter Street

Adjacent To

• Water (for Power)

Exterior Visible from Public Road?

Yes

Parcel ID / Assessor Record Link

• 100 / 48 / 36 / Link →

Acreage

4.23

Use (Present)

n/a

Form Completed By

n/a

Date

n/a

Bibliography

n/a