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History of Industry in Waterbury before 1900

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​Waterbury has a rich history of business dating back to the early 19th century.  The city's location at the confluence of the Naugatuck, Manahan, and Mad Rivers, along with its access to transportation and natural resources, made it an ideal location for manufacturing and commerce.

One of the first industries to take root in Waterbury was the brass industry.  In 1802, Abel Porter started a brass manufacturing plant in the city.  The Porter Plant, as it was known, was the first of many brass factories that would be built in Waterbury in the coming years. By the 1850s, Waterbury had become the center of the American brass industry, producing more brass than any other city in the country.

In addition to brass, Waterbury was also known for its clockmaking industry.  In 1814, Eli Terry, a clockmaker from Connecticut, opened a clock factory in Waterbury. Terry's factory, which produced affordable and high-quality clocks, helped establish Waterbury as a leading center of clock manufacturing in the United States. Other clockmakers, such as Chauncey Jerome and Seth Thomas, also established factories in the city, making Waterbury a hub of clock production.

In the mid-19th century, Waterbury also became known for its carriage and wagon-making industries. Firms such as Holmes, Booth & Haydens and Benedict & Burnham produced a wide range of carriages and wagons, from simple carts to ornate carriages for the wealthy.  These firms also produced other metal products, such as harnesses and hardware.

By the end of the 19th century, Waterbury had become a major center of manufacturing and commerce in Connecticut.  The city's industries employed thousands of people and produced goods that were sold throughout the United States and overseas.  Waterbury's businesses also played an important role in shaping the city's culture and identity, as well as its physical landscape.  The city's many factories and mills, for example, gave rise to a distinctive industrial architecture that can still be seen today.


​In conclusion, Waterbury's history of business prior to the year 1900 is one of innovation, entrepreneurship, and growth. From brass and clockmaking to carriage and wagon-making, the city's industries were at the forefront of American manufacturing in the 19th century.  Today, Waterbury continues to be a center of business and commerce in Connecticut, building on a rich legacy of entrepreneurship and innovation.
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Waterbury:
The Button and Fastener Capital of the Nation

"If there's a button on an American uniform,
​it was made in Waterbury"

In addition to brass, clockmaking, and carriage and wagon-making, the button and fastener industry was also a significant part of Waterbury's business landscape prior to 1900.

The button industry in Waterbury began in the early 19th century when Abel Porter, a local brass manufacturer, began producing brass buttons.  The production of buttons grew rapidly in Waterbury, and by the mid-19th century, the city was the center of the American button industry.  The largest button manufacturers in Waterbury at the time were the Scovill Manufacturing Company and the Waterbury Button Company.

In addition to buttons, Waterbury was also home to several firms that produced fasteners, such as snaps, hooks, and eyelets.  The United States Metallic Fastener Company, for example, was founded in Waterbury in 1877 and became one of the leading manufacturers of metal fasteners in the country.
The button and fastener industry in Waterbury was driven by the city's abundance of raw materials, including brass, which was a key component in the production of buttons and fasteners.  The industry also benefited from the city's transportation infrastructure, which allowed for easy access to markets and materials.

The Scovill Manufacturing Company, one of the largest button manufacturers in Waterbury, was founded in 1802 and became known for its high-quality buttons.  The company produced buttons for a wide range of applications, including clothing, military uniforms, and upholstery.

The Waterbury Button Company, founded in 1812, was another major player in the city's button industry. The company produced buttons made of a variety of materials, including brass, bone, and horn.


​In conclusion, the button and fastener industry played an important role in Waterbury's business landscape prior to 1900.  The city's abundance of raw materials and transportation infrastructure made it an ideal location for the production of buttons and fasteners, and firms such as the Scovill Manufacturing Company and the Waterbury Button Company helped establish Waterbury as a leading center of the American button industry.
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Waterbury:
The Time Capital of the Nation

The Switzerland of America
The Time Capital of the Nation
"Everybody Sets Their Clocks To Waterbury Time"

​Waterbury, Connecticut, was once known as the "Switzerland of America" due to its thriving clock, watch, gyro, and timing device industry in the 19th century.  The city's location at the confluence of the Naugatuck and Mad Rivers, combined with its access to transportation and natural resources, made it an ideal location for manufacturing and commerce.

Clockmaking began in Waterbury in 1812 when the Waterbury Clock Company was founded.  This company was the first to mass-produce inexpensive brass clocks in America, which were sold throughout the country.  Other clock manufacturers soon followed, including Chauncey Jerome, who established the Jerome Clock Company in 1847.  The company produced a wide range of clocks, including the popular "oak cases," which were in high demand.

The success of the clock industry in Waterbury paved the way for the watch industry to take root in the city.  The Waterbury Watch Company was founded in 1880 and became one of the largest watch manufacturers in the world.  The company produced a wide range of affordable and high-quality watches, including the Ingersoll Yankee, which became one of the most popular watches of its time.

In addition to clocks and watches, Waterbury was also known for its production of gyroscopes and timing devices.  The American Gyroscope Company, founded in 1894, was one of the first companies to produce gyroscopes in the United States.  The company's gyroscopes were used in a variety of applications, including navigation and aviation.

Waterbury was also home to several firms that produced timing devices, such as the Waterbury Clock Company and the Seth Thomas Clock Company.  These companies produced a wide range of timing devices, including clocks and timers, which were used in industries such as telecommunications and transportation.

The success of the clock, watch, gyro, and timing device industry in Waterbury was due in part to the city's abundance of raw materials, including brass, which was a key component in the production of clocks, watches, and timing devices.  The industry also benefited from the city's transportation infrastructure, which allowed for easy access to markets and materials.
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​In conclusion, the clock, watch, gyro, and timing device industry played an important role in Waterbury's business landscape prior to 1900.  The industry was driven by the city's abundance of raw materials and transportation infrastructure, and firms such as the Waterbury Clock Company, the Waterbury Watch Company, and the American Gyroscope Company helped establish Waterbury as a leading center of clock, watch, gyro, and timing device manufacturing in the United States.  Today, Waterbury continues to be a center of innovation and technology, building on a rich legacy of entrepreneurship and innovation.
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Waterbury:
​Making Wagons and Carriages


​Wagon and carriage making was a prominent industry in Waterbury, Connecticut, in the 19th century. The city's location at the confluence of the Naugatuck and Mad Rivers, combined with its access to transportation and natural resources, made it an ideal location for manufacturing and commerce.

The wagon and carriage making industry in Waterbury began in the early 1800s, with local craftsmen producing wooden wagons and carriages by hand.  As the industry grew, firms such as the Benedict & Burnham Manufacturing Company and the Holmes, Booth & Haydens Company emerged as leaders in the field.

The Benedict & Burnham Manufacturing Company was founded in 1824 and became known for its high-quality carriages and wagons.  The company's products were sold throughout the country, and were highly prized for their durability and craftsmanship.  The company also produced components such as wheels and axles that were sold to other wagon and carriage makers.

The Holmes, Booth & Haydens Company, founded in 1842, was another major player in the wagon and carriage making industry.  The company produced a wide range of vehicles, including carriages, buggies, and wagons, which were sold throughout the United States and Europe.  The company also produced components such as springs and axles that were sold to other wagon and carriage makers.

The success of the wagon and carriage making industry in Waterbury was due in part to the city's abundance of raw materials, including wood and iron, which were key components in the production of wagons and carriages.  The industry also benefited from the city's transportation infrastructure, which allowed for easy access to markets and materials.

As the 19th century progressed, the wagon and carriage making industry in Waterbury began to decline.  This was due in part to the rise of the automobile industry, which began to replace horse-drawn vehicles.  Despite this decline, the legacy of the wagon and carriage making industry in Waterbury lives on, with many historic buildings and landmarks still standing as a testament to the city's rich history.

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​In conclusion, the wagon and carriage making industry played an important role in Waterbury's business landscape prior to 1900.  The industry was driven by the city's abundance of raw materials and transportation infrastructure, and firms such as the Benedict & Burnham Manufacturing Company and the Holmes, Booth & Haydens Company helped establish Waterbury as a leading center of wagon and carriage making in the United States.  Today, Waterbury continues to be a center of innovation and entrepreneurship, building on a rich legacy of manufacturing and commerce.
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Waterbury:
​The Brass Capital of the World


The brass industry played a significant role in the development and growth of Waterbury, Connecticut in the 19th century.  The city's abundance of raw materials and access to transportation made it an ideal location for the production of brass, which was in high demand for a wide range of products including clocks, watches, and firearms.

The brass industry in Waterbury can be traced back to the early 1800s when local artisans began producing small brass items such as buttons and buckles.  However, it was not until the mid-1800s that the industry really took off.  In 1851, the Waterbury Brass Company was founded, and by the end of the decade, there were over a dozen brass mills in operation in the city.

One of the key factors that contributed to the growth of the brass industry in Waterbury was the city's proximity to abundant deposits of copper and zinc, which are the primary components of brass. The city's location also provided easy access to transportation, including the Naugatuck River and the Naugatuck Railroad, which made it easy to transport raw materials and finished products.

The Waterbury Brass Company quickly became one of the largest and most successful brass mills in the city.  The company produced a wide range of products, including buttons, buckles, clocks, and other decorative items.  In addition, the company began to experiment with new technologies, such as rolling brass sheets, which allowed them to produce a wider range of products more efficiently.

Other major players in the Waterbury brass industry included the Scovill Manufacturing Company, which was founded in 1802 and began producing brass buttons in the mid-1800s.  The company quickly expanded to produce a wide range of brass products, including decorative items, lamps, and clocks. Another important firm was the Benedict & Burnham Manufacturing Company, which produced brass products including clocks and watch cases.

The growth of the brass industry in Waterbury had a significant impact on the city's economy and helped establish it as a major manufacturing center in the United States. By the end of the 19th century, Waterbury was one of the largest producers of brass in the world, and the industry continued to be a major employer in the city well into the 20th century.

​In conclusion, the brass industry played a critical role in the development and growth of Waterbury, Connecticut in the 19th century.  The industry benefited from the city's abundance of raw materials and access to transportation, and firms such as the Waterbury Brass Company, Scovill Manufacturing Company, and Benedict & Burnham Manufacturing Company helped establish Waterbury as a leading center of brass production in the United States.  Today, the legacy of the brass industry lives on in Waterbury, with many historic buildings and landmarks serving as a testament to the city's rich history of manufacturing and commerce.
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