Commonwealth Works Site

The Commonwealth Works Site is an historic industrial site located near Yantic Falls on the Yantic River in Norwich. It was the location of a multi-functional industrial facility developed in the mid-19^th century, with an industrial history dating back to the 18^th century.

This Iconic Norwich placement only addresses the business enterprises directly associated with the Commonwealth Works business operating at the site after 1864. Previous to, and after, this period in time there were numerous other enterprises that are not addressed here.

In 1865 Charles A. Converse consolidated water rights at Yantic Falls and built a large brick building, the “Commonwealth Works”. The facility housed a number of different water-powered enterprises. They included the gun factory of Bacon Manufacturing Company, Hopkins & Allen Manufacturing Company, a braid mill, a cork-cutting factory, Norwich File Works, a Dye Works and several others.

The site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1998.

NOTABLE PLACES

Upper Yantic Falls : All the enterprises located at the Commonwealth Works Site relied on the energy produced from the fall of water at Yantic Falls.
Lower Yantic Falls : The scene of Indian Leap.
Commonwealth Works Site : The site was equivalent to a modern-day industrial park. Several water-powered industries were clustered here. As shown in the maps above, the Commonwealth Works Site was located just below the Upper Falls, and above the Lower Falls.
New London Northern Railroad : From 1861-1872 the New London Northern Railroad operated train service from New London, thru Norwich, to Brattleboro, Vermont. The goods manufactured at the Commonwealth Works site, had easy access to markets via this railroad.
Falls Company Cotton Mill : A large cotton factory located below the Lower Falls are. The Falls Company Cotton Mill was not a component of the Commonwealth Works site. It is highlighted in the map as a reference point.

ENTERPRISES

Bacon Manufacturing Company (1858-1868) : The Bacon Manufacturing Company made revolvers and single-shot pistols. The company had approximately 10 employees and operated in two rooms in the Auger Mill building. Charles A. Converse, the landlord of the building, took control of Bacon Mfg. Co. in October 1863, due to a disagreement between him and Thomas Bacon, the founder of the Bacon Mfg. Co. In 1868 Converse and several others formed Hopkins & Allen from the remnants of Bacon Mfg. Co.
Hopkins & Allen Manufacturing Company (1868-1916) : Hopkins & Allen was a successful arms manufacturer for 48 years. They began their operation at the Commonwealth Works site in 1868 and then moved to a larger facility in downtown Norwich in 1878. Map Source 1 shows the exact location of Hopkins & Allen.
Norwich Falls Pistol Company (1882-1887) : They produced several lines of inexpensive revolvers at the Falls.
Cork-cutting Factory : The cork-cutting factory was operated by J. H. Adams and James E. Learned. The cork-cutting business was one of the specialties in Norwich in the 1860s. They used a cork-cutting machine invented and patented by William R. Crocker, from Norwich, in 1855. The machine produced from twenty to thirty finished corks per minute, producing them in better condition than those made by hand. Click HERE to learn more.
Braid Mill (prior to 1869) : A so-called braid mill, or worsted manufacturer, was operated by James Townsend. There was a fire in the building, owned by Charles A. Converse, on January 20, 1869. The fire resulted in considerable damage. Click HERE to learn more.
Norwich File Works : The 1870 Stedman’s Directory lists the Norwich File Works as being located at Commonwealth Mills. Click HERE to see the listing.
Chelsea File Works (1912) : This location of this file cutting enterprise is shown on the Aero View map of Norwich, Connecticut 1912 map, by Hughes & Baily. The establishment is identified in the legend as Chelsea File Works. Click HERE to view the map.
Dye Works : The 1870 Stedman’s Directory of Norwich lists David and Samuel Whitely as operating a dye works at “Yantic 1”. Click HERE to see the listing.
Grist Mill : A photo of the grist mill is available at Info Source 1
Other Enterprises : Several other enterprises have been identified in Info Source 1 as being associated with Commonwealth Works. They include a saw mill, a nail manufacturer, a flour mill and a foundry.

Acknowledgements

“The Mysterious “Colonel Charles Augustus Converse”, The Muse Newsletter, Summer 2007, by Vivian F. Zoë

“History of Norwich, Connecticut: From Its Possession From the Indians, to the Year 1866”, page 614, by Frances Manwaring Caulkins

“City of Norwich, Conn. 1876”, by O. H. Baily & Company

“Aero View of Norwich, Connecticut 1912”, by Hughes & Baily

The complete list of sources may be found by clicking the “Bibliography” button, and, then typing “Commonwealth Works” in the SEARCH box.