Broad Brook Company facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Broad Brook Company
|
|
 |
|
 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Scott Rd. and Main St., East Windsor, Connecticut |
|---|---|
| Area | 10.6 acres (4.3 ha) |
| Architect | Multiple |
| NRHP reference No. | 85000950 |
| Added to NRHP | May 2, 1985 |
The Broad Brook Company was a textile factory in East Windsor, Connecticut. It made fabrics for many years, from the 1830s until 1954. The factory was located in the Broad Brook village, near Main Street and Scott Road.
In 1985, the factory buildings were added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are important historical sites. Later, some parts of the factory were damaged by fire. Other buildings were turned into homes. However, the complex is now closed because of issues with the ground.
Contents
History of the Broad Brook Company
The Broad Brook Company factory was once a very important place in Broad Brook village. It was built next to Broad Brook, a small stream. Over many years, more than eighteen buildings were added to the complex. They were made from stone and wood.
The Main Mill Building
One of the most important buildings still stands today. This is the main mill building. It is a tall, 4-1/2 story structure. It was built in 1867 and made bigger in 1880. The building has a fancy style called Italianate. It has special brick designs near the windows and roof.
A five-story stair tower sticks out from the middle of the building. This tower has a gabled roof and more brick designs. Each level of the tower had doors. These doors were used to move large machines into the building. Other parts that still exist include the mill dam and an old steam boiler building.
Early Beginnings and Growth
The area around Broad Brook has a long history of industry. In the early 1800s, there was a sawmill, a gristmill (for grinding grain), and a tannery (for making leather) here.
A textile mill was started by the Phelps brothers in the 1830s. But their business did not do well. In the late 1840s, it was reorganized and became the Broad Brook Company. This new company was very successful!
What They Made and Why They Closed
By the early 1900s, the Broad Brook Company was doing great. It employed about 300 people. They made many different kinds of woolen fabrics.
In the 1930s, the company started making cloth for car seats. But in the 1950s, car companies began using vinyl instead of cloth. This change hurt the Broad Brook Company a lot.
In 1954, the factory closed down. It was sold to another company called Hamilton Standard. Hamilton Standard made printed circuit boards there.
Later Years and Current Status
In 1977, Hamilton Standard sold the property to real estate developers. In May 1986, a big fire destroyed a large part of the factory. Even so, the main mill building was turned into homes in the early 1990s.
However, in 1998, some issues with the soil were found. Because of this, the complex was closed again in 2004. The US Environmental Protection Agency is still watching the area to make sure it is safe.
