Historic Properties List
Preservation Torrington is committed to advocating for preserving and reusing/repurposing irreplaceable historic properties in our city to preserve Torrington’s our history and unique sense of place before they are gone.
Here is our list of some Torrington properties worthy of saving.
Here is our list of some Torrington properties worthy of saving.
Hendey Machine Company
Summer Street 1. Hendey Machine Shop The Hendey Machine Shop building, located downtown, near the railroad tracks on Summer Street, is immediately endangered. Built in 1907, the expansive, brick structure has arched windows, a massive steel framework and enormous character. Currently, there is a discussion about the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) building a Northwestern Connecticut Transit District bus garage on part of the property that would require total demolition of the building. Stopping the demolition of this iconic historic industrial building is a priority of the PT. Please support our efforts to save this property by contacting Torrington city officials and political representatives. 2. Hendey Office and Machine Shops Summer and High Streets The remaining portion of the Hendey Machine Company is indirectly threatened by the DOT proposal which would use all of the open space on the property and make it difficult or impossible to redevelop the remaining buildings, which are further threatened by lack of major maintenance such as roof work. Torrington Company—Excelsior Needle Division
Field Street This complex of buildings dates back as far as 1890 when the Excelsior Needle Company (1866 forerunner of the Torrington Company) relocated to Field Street, where it would remain until the early 21st century. The brick factory buildings also include the old administrative offices. Most of the Field Street buildings were renovated as corporate offices for engineering in the late 20th century. They are in good condition but largely vacant. The Register Citizen occupies a prominent first-floor location on Field Street. A county courthouse is being constructed across Field Street where the factory workers used to park their vehicles. This creates a parking deficit for the Excelsior Needle buildings which has resulted in demolition to create more parking for the remaining factory buildings. Hotchkiss Brothers Company
199 Water Street Like most historical industrial complexes, Hotchkiss Brothers Company contains an array of buildings from different time periods in varying states of repair and/or disrepair. The most endangered of these buildings is also the oldest on the site. It is wood frame construction consisting of large framing timbers with wood floors and wood siding. The wood siding on the Water Street façade is covered with sheet metal. The Minetto Building, which wraps around the corner of Water and Church streets, is a commercial building which is part of the Hotchkiss property. It is also endangered because it was damaged by a fire many years ago and has not been fully repaired. .
Torrington Company—Standard Plant Another complex of buildings was once home to the Standard Division of the Torrington Company. The Standard Division produced a variety of products and was widely known for the production of bearings. Much of the complex is vacant and rumors of demolition have been circulating. Eagle Bicycle Company, later Progressive Manufacturing Company
Norwood Street This factory was built in the early 20th century for the Eagle Bicycle Company. The bicycle company was short lived and the factory was used by a succession of successful manufacturers, including the Progressive Company and Pheoll. Although some portions of the factory are occupied, large portions of the complex are deteriorating. A few years ago the roof of the brick factory tower collapsed, and the tower was removed. |
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