Pratt, Read and Company Factory Complex, Industrial heritage site in Deep River, Connecticut, US
The Pratt, Read and Company Factory Complex is a 19th-century industrial site along Deep River in Connecticut made up of two distinct buildings. A five-story brick structure with an entry tower sits alongside a four-story concrete building from 1913, with both parts connected by the surrounding grounds.
The factory was established in 1863 and processed ivory for combs, buttons, and piano keys until the early 1900s. The site shows how industrial architecture evolved during this period, particularly through the shift from brick construction to modern concrete techniques.
The site shows how an industrial workspace became housing, reflecting the town's connection to skilled manufacturing. Visitors still see the heavy brick walls and large interior spaces that connect to this working past.
The site is located on Main Street between Spring Street and Bridge Street in Deep River and can be easily explored on foot. The complex spreads across roughly 9.5 acres and offers good views from the public street.
The 1913 concrete section was a breakthrough in industrial building methods and was designed by Ernest J. Ransome, a pioneer who used new reinforced concrete techniques. This building still stands today and shows how durable concrete structures from that era could be.
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