Stafford Springs, Part II: Other Than the Mills

From Dave Brigham:

I decided to explore Stafford Springs, Conn., because it's a mill town (see August 27, 2021, "Stafford Springs, Part I: The Mills"). I love shooting photos of old factories and mills, as I think is evident if you've spent more than two minutes reading this blog. But I also love the homes, municipal buildings, commercial architecture and churches that were built around these manufacturing facilities during their heydays. So in this post, I will look at those types of buildings in this village that serves as the downtown for the town of Stafford.

The first place that caught my eye -- and did so like no other commercial building in town -- was Full Sail Tattoo on East Main Street.

Established in 1994, the inking business appears to have run dry, unfortunately. This beautiful painted lady (not in the traditional sense of a Victorian home, but still...) dates to, well, I'm not sure. I found the year 1900 online, but I don't believe it. I'm guessing this place was erected at least 10 years prior.

Steps away is the Paradiso Building, which dates to 1930.

The building is home to Paradiso Insurance. It is located across from the American Woolen mill complex, so I'm guessing there may have been related offices here, or retail outfits, back in the day.

Just up Furnace Avenue is what I believe is the former home of the Stafford Springs Press newspaper.

The newspaper was in operation from 1883 to 1935. This building appears to be a private home, or apartments.

Next door to the old Press office is a little building that rivals the tattoo shop for ornate beauty.

Home to Orchardworks, a hand-carved magic wand maker (!), this gem dates to 1900 allegedly, but again, I believe it's older. The shop is run by what I assume is a husband-and-wife team. "Ed is an aerospace engineer by day, moonlighting in the workshop handling wand design, custom shaping work, and overseeing all of the woods and tools that we use. Janet works full time shaping, finishing, & delivering our wands to delighted customers all over the world," per the web site.

How enchanting!

Heading south on River Road, I spied Hyde Autoworks, located in what appears to be a nicely restored building.

The company, which specializes in "wild custom hot rod restorations," per its web site, has been in business since 1996. I like that they kept a few old automotive signs (photo below) on the outside of the building, which dates to 1930.

Doubling back toward the main drag, I walked past Shamrock Laundry, which is unfortunately out of business.

Then I looked west, up Highland Terrace, and saw the gorgeous church pictured below.

Grace Episcopal Church dates to 1876. I love the red clapboard, the bell tower, the fact that this house of worship is built into the hill. And right next to the church is an equally fantastic building.

The Stafford Historical Society building dates to 1885. It was built as the town library, and has also servede as a judge's office, office for a woolen company and the bottling house of the Stafford Mineral Waters Company, according to this post from the CTMQ blog.

Behind the historical society building is a mineral spring house, a remnant of a once wildly popular business offering allegedly curative waters, and the inspiration for the village's name.

The mineral spring -- thought by some to have therapeutic value due to the existence of minerals or other dissolved substances -- was discovered by the Nipmuck tribe that preceded European colonists. Among the colonists who availed themselves of the spring water was John Adams, who later in life, of course, went on to become the second president of the United States.

Naturally, businesses grew up around the spring. "In 1767 a direct stage route was established from Boston to Stafford Springs to capitalize on this budding resort’s popularity and make it more easily accessible," according to this Connecticut Explored article. "Through the early 1800s, visitors to the springs would stay at small hotels such as Child’s, Colburn’s, and the Green. In 1802, Dr. Samuel Willard bought the property and built the Stafford Springs House to accommodate patrons of the miracle water. His clientele grew as the springs’ reputation continued to spread, enabling Willard to expand the hotel."

The whole affair began to go downhill as the Saratoga Springs area in New York began to grow in the late 19th century. I'm not sure when Stafford Springs mineral water dried up as a business venture.

Moving on....

Beyond the mineral house is Hyde Park, where I saw the impressive memorial below.

The Warren Soldiers Monument was dedicated in 1924, and honors those who, like the sculpture's donor, Col. Charles Warren, fought in the U.S. Civil War. Warren was born and died in Stafford. He "had a distinguished military career that extended for the entire four years of," the Civil War, according to this web site. "He enlisted as a private in October 1861, soon became a sergeant, and rose through the ranks of commissioned officers as he served in a continuous series of campaigns. He led his regiment into Richmond in April 1865. After the war, Warren opened a general store in Stafford...and engaged in other successful business activities. He was president of the Stafford Savings Bank, built the Warren Block downtown, and gave to the town Warren Memorial Hall, which was dedicated January 31, 1924."

The sculptor was Frederick Ruckstull, who created many similar monuments around the country, including some Confederate memorials, according to Wikipedia.

At the intersection of River Road and Main Street sits the former Stafford Springs train station.

Built by the Central Vermont Railroad, the depot is currently home to the town's police department. I've been unable to find out what year this station was built. Trains are still active through the village, as the New England Central Railroad runs freight through here between East Alburgh, VT, and New London, CT.

Next to the train station, in a building that also features an ice cream shop, is Hairy Karry's Barber Shop.

Originally I thought this place was called "Hairy Harry's," which I liked. But I dig the actual name even more. I have a thing for funny/clever barbershop and salon names.

Across Main Street is the neat little green building housing Makuch & Company, CPA, and Willington Financial, two related businesses.

I believe this building dates to 1930.

There are so many neat old buildings in Stafford Springs, many of them nicely restored. I didn't shoot everything on Main Street, but just about. I'll run down the north side first and then the south. First up after the financial building (after a few that I found unworthy) is the building housing Rustology Antiques and Oddities.

This place looks great, sort of a Nutmeg State version of the American Pickers shop in Le Claire, Iowa. This place dates to 1908. Below is a peek through the front window.

Next door is the home of Ocean Asian Restaurant.

The CRCOG Tax Parcel web site indicates this building dates to 1900. The siding makes it look newer, but also not as attractive as the Rustology building.

Heading west, I came to a site unlike any I've seen in the several old mill towns I've explored over the years.

Located in what's called the Main Street Fruit Tree Trail, which is maintained by the Stafford Garden Club, this art-filled park sits in the remnants of buildings that collapsed some years ago, according to a friend who lives in town. The park contains several shrubs, trees and plants that produce edible fruits, berries and herbs. The public is encouraged to help themselves to a small sampling.

As for the murals, I've been unable to find out who painted them. There are several, and they are all bursting with color and life and imagination. Also located in the park is a bench dedicated to "Mamma" Teresa Andreoli (1926-2019), who lived in Stafford. "Main Street was her life," the inscription says. There is also a picture of the Arizona Restaurant, which I assume Mamma owned.

Continuing west, we come to a nice stretch of old commercial buildings. A plaque at the roofline of the building below says "1936."

This place is home to Smoker's Emporium. Look closely at the top of the building, and you'll see a peaked roof. The brick of the storefront is an add-on to a modest apartment house that is obviously older.

Next door is the Palace Theater, which dates to 1900.

The theater hosts concerts (James Montgomery Blues Band, Riders On the Storm [Doors Tribute]) and other events (fundraisers, weddings). It was founded as vaudeville theater, and began featuring movies by 1941, per Cinema Treasures. This place closed in 1960, but reopened at some point as a bar. I'm not sure how long it's been a live-music venue.

(One of two horse heads flanking the front door of the theater. I'd love to know the story behind them.)

Next up is the Arizona building, which dates to 1922.

Now home to J&D Pizza, Pub & Grill, this building was once the home of the aforementioned Arizona Restaurant. To get a sense of that eatery, scroll down on this link.

The next building is small, but I love the cut of its jib.

Most recently (I think) the home of the Stafford Seamstress, this place is known as the L.H. Carvais Building. It dates to 1900. I couldn't find out anything about the Carvais clan.

The next place dates to 1933, and is home to the wonderfully named Blazing Saddles consignment shop and Laura Claman Equine Solutions.

Next door is an empty storefront...I think. I believe it was (or possibly is) home to Mocko's Propane Gas Service. The building dates to 1928.

Across Main Street, in what appears to be a long, narrow storage building (possibly formerly used by an appliance company), is a series of super-cool town-themed murals.

The one above shows, on the left, Hyde Park, location of the Civil War Monument mentioned previously, and Stafford Fairgrounds, also known as Stafford Springs Agricultural Park, where there was horse racing up until the end of World War II. This area is now known as the Stafford Motor Speedway. In my final Stafford Springs installment, I will write about the race track.

The mural above shows, on the left, the Baker Furniture Co. factory, as well as a streetcar; on the right people are shown fetching water from the aforementioned mineral spring. The furniture company was established in 1807, and closed in 2015.

Continuing east, on the south side of Main Street, I saw the obviously rejiggered building below.

Home to a Farmers Insurance agent, this building dates to 1900 (allegedly) and is owned by American Sleeve Bearing, an industrial company located on the other side of the train tracks from Main Street.

Next door to that odd building is the Bidorini Building, which dates to 1915 (here's why I always doubt the year "1900" when I see it in assessor's databases...this place is listed as being built in that year, but the building iteself says "1915" on it)

I'm assuming this was the former home of Bidorini Bakery & Grocery, references to which I found online. Currently occupying the space is the Stafford Cidery, home of Crazy Cock Cider. Cock-a-doodle-do!!

Next door at 58-64 Main Street is a pair of buildings also allegedly built in 1900.

To the right is #64; I'm not sure what's in that building. Like the Farmers Insurance building mentioned above, this place is owned by American Sleeve Bearing. On the left is #58, home to ESP Pottery. The store/gallery offers lessons. I dig the funky threshold, below.

The last building on this block is home to the Stafford Coffee Company and the Stafford Academy of Dance.

This place also dates to -- you guessed it -- 1900. Allegedly.

To wrap up this post, below are some photos taken of the backside of the last few buildings I wrote about. These shots were taken from a driveway leading to American Sleeve Bearing, looking across the railroad tracks.

That sign says, "FLAG OILER DO NOT SAND." A flag stop (or request stop or whistle stop) is a station at which trains will only stop if there are passengers or freight to pick up. I don't know anything about oiling or sanding flags that mark these stations.

This is the backside of the pottery store

I just love that little tableau above.

I'm a sucker for graffiti. As I mentioned above, I shot these on property owned by American Sleeve Bearing, a company that will come into play again for the final Stafford Springs post, coming soon.

Stafford Springs, Part I: The Mills

From Dave Brigham:

Up until this month, on the rare occasions when I thought about Stafford Springs, Conn., I imagined the stock-car track there. That's it. But when I looked at Google Maps recently and realized that this village in the town of Stafford has 19th-century mills and commercial buildings of the same era, I knew I had to find out more.

Regular readers will recall that of late I have explored former (and, in some cases, still somewhat current) mill towns on the route between my house outside Boston and my mother's home in Connecticut. To date, I have tromped through the Rockville area of Vernon, Conn., (see April 24, 2021, "Zooming Through Loom City, Part I: The Mills" and April 30, 2021, "Zooming Through Loom City, Part II: Other Than the Mills"); and Southbridge, Mass., (see July 30, 2021, "Keeping an Eye on Southbridge, Mass. (Part I)" and August 18, 2021, "Keeping an Eye on Southbridge, Mass. (Part II)."

Incorporated in 1719, Stafford initially was, like most towns in New England, a farming community. The Industrial Revolution brought mills to the town, especially to Stafford Springs, which sits astride the Willimantic River. By the mid-1800s, a railroad connected the town to the rest of New England, and a trolley ran to the aforementioned Rockville.

One of the mill complexes that still stands in this north-central Nutmeg State town rose in 1853 as the Converseville Company, according to this fantastic Hartford Courant article that I relied on heavily for this post.

(Now part of the American Woolen Company, the buildings in the above photos have been home to a variety of mill operations over the past 168 years.)

Located along Furnace Avenue in the heart of the village, the mill complex is still known to many as, and has signage for, the Warren Woolen Company.

"In 1879, [Parley] Converse sold the textile manufacturing company to brothers Daniel and Thomas Warren, who would rename it the Warren Woolen Company," according to the Courant article. "In 1890, it was acquired by J. M. Valentine and would continue to be operated by him and subsequent family members almost uninterrupted for the next 80 years. In 1978, the mill was acquired by Joseph Anderer and the name changed to Warren Corporation. The well-known Italian clothing company Loro Piana purchased the mill in 1988, but difficult economic times and competition from abroad forced the company to close its doors in the spring of 2014."

I'm amazed that these mills were in continuous operation from before the Civil War until the year that a robotic spacecraft landed on the Agilkia comet. And part of that time by an Italian clothing company! But the story doesn't end there.

In June 2014, "Jacob Long of American Woolen Company purchased the mill and reopened its doors once more," according to the Courant article. "The mill remains the only Connecticut firm which still manufactures woolen cloth using the entire process from raw wool to finished product."

That's pretty cool.

I also shot photos of another former mill downtown.

The former B.P. Cooley Mill faces River Road; its backside overlooks the railroad tracks. Now home to businesses including a town-run thrift shop, a dance studio, a book store and several artist studios, the old mill building dates to 1875. William Smith & Co. was the original occupant, according to this wonderful history from Preservation Connecticut. From the 1870s until the 1930s, the company was known as Smith and Cooley, manufacturing woolen products. Buildings were added over the decades. Benjamin P. Cooley acquired the company in 1936 and reorganized it as B.P. Cooley Co. There were other ownership changes until the wool company went out of business in 2002. In 2005, a town resident acquired the building from an outfit that had used the mill to reprocess wool for clients such as the baseball manufacturer, Rawlings, according to this Journal Inquirer article.

There's a cool mix of old details and funky new artistic ones around the complex.

That wraps up a few mills in Stafford Springs. Stay tuned for a future article about more of the downtown shops, parks, statues and more, as well a post about the nearby race track.