Capewell Horse Nail Company facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Capewell Horse Nail Company
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Capewell Horse Nail Company
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | 60-70 Popieluszko Street Hartford, Connecticut |
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| Area | 6.07 acres (2.46 ha) |
| Built | 1903 |
| Architect | Berlin Iron Works, Empire Bridge Company |
| NRHP reference No. | 99000927 |
| Added to NRHP | March 1, 2000 |
The Capewell Horse Nail Company was once a very important factory in Hartford, Connecticut. It was known for making special nails used in horseshoes. This historic building complex was built a long time ago, in 1903. It stands in the Sheldon/Charter Oak area of Hartford.
The Capewell Horse Nail Company
The Capewell Horse Nail Company was started by a clever inventor named George Capewell. He built this factory after his old one burned down. This new factory was located at Charter Oak Avenue and Popieluszko Court.
A Smart Invention
Back in 1881, George Capewell invented a machine. This machine could make horseshoe nails super fast and well. Because of his amazing invention, Hartford became known as the "horseshoe nail capital" of the world! This meant many horseshoe nails came from this city.
Amazing Buildings
The factory building itself is very special. It has a tall, square tower built in a style called Romanesque Revival. You can see cool brick patterns and a pointy roof on top. The office building is also unique. It's a great example of Dutch architecture in Hartford. It has fancy brick and brownstone details. The front of the building shows off a Jacobean style. It has very detailed brickwork that you won't find anywhere else in Hartford.
What Happened Next?
Over the years, the company changed hands. In 1970, another company bought it. Then, in the early 1980s, private investors took over. The part of the company that made horseshoe nails was sold in 1985. The part that made saw blades was sold in 1986. The factory in Hartford closed down in the late 1980s. This happened when the parachute hardware part of the business moved to Bloomfield. Capewell kept making horseshoe nails and other things in Bloomfield until 2012.
Today, a group called the Corporation for Independent Living owns the property. They plan to turn the old factory into apartments. The Capewell Horse Nail Company buildings were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000. This means they are recognized as important historic sites.
