Inside the Old Remington Munitions Factory
Over the years, I have had the opportunity to visit the Remington Munitions Factory three times, each visit a unique experience. The first time, I ventured there alone, driven by curiosity to explore what remained of the once-bustling industrial complex. Back then, the neighborhood was far from welcoming, and my solo exploration felt risky. However, the allure of the factory’s history and its remnants was too strong to resist.
Upon arrival, the decay was evident. The complex was a shadow of its former self, ravaged by time and neglect. Scrap metal scavengers had stripped the buildings of valuable copper, steel, and iron. Every surface was a canvas for graffiti, a mix of juvenile doodles and more elaborate street art left by local kids and adventurous visitors. A fire in 2017 had already claimed part of one building, and the area had a reputation for violence, with frequent assaults and shootings on Barnum Avenue.
Despite the deterioration, the factory had a certain haunting beauty, especially the shot tower. This remarkable structure, once the tallest building in Connecticut, was where molten lead was dropped from the top, forming perfectly spherical balls by the time it reached the basement. Climbing to the top of the shot tower, I was greeted with breathtaking views that stretched far beyond the factory grounds. It was a striking contrast to the desolation below—a must-see feature that captured the imagination.
My subsequent visits to the factory were equally compelling but in different ways. Each time, I discovered new details, from remnants of old machinery to hidden corners still holding onto their secrets. The ever-changing graffiti told the story of a place continually rediscovered and reinterpreted by those who dared to explore it.
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| Shot tower as of Jun 2024. |
The second time I visited the Remington Munitions Factory, I brought along two friends, A and S, during a trip to Bridgeport, Connecticut. They were eager to see the shot tower, the crown jewel of the factory, just as I had described it. While the rest of the factory held little appeal for them, the shot tower was an irresistible draw. Its imposing height and the promise of unparalleled views made it the focal point for every curious visitor and urban explorer.
On my third visit, the landscape had changed dramatically. Demolition had begun on the building across from the shot tower, a structure that had been largely gutted over the years by metal scavengers and ravaged by fire. Approaching the site, I was met with the stark sight of a heavy-duty water mister working diligently amid the ruins and a gaping concrete-reinforced foundation where the building had once stood.
The now-abandoned Remington Arms Munition Factory in Bridgeport, Connecticut, remains a striking property despite its dilapidation. Though much of the plant has been demolished, the shot tower still looms over the area, bearing a striking resemblance to a giant whiskey bottle. This towering relic stands as a poignant reminder of the region's industrial past and the ongoing struggles to rebuild in its aftermath.
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| I never explored the buildings to the left in my three visits to this location. 🙄 |
History
The development of the former Remington Arms-Union Metallic Cartridge Company complex began in the late 1860s under the Union Metallic Cartridge Company, one of Remington’s predecessors. This storied history is meticulously detailed by Matthew Roth in his 1980 publication, Connecticut: An Inventory of Historic Engineering and Industrial Sites. Roth highlights the significant changes in the relationship between financiers and technologists during the latter 19th century, exemplified by Marcellus Hartley's establishment of U.M.C. in 1867.
Marcellus Hartley, a New York City sporting arms dealer and former U.S. arms procurement representative in Europe during the Civil War, foresaw the transition from paper rifle cartridges to metallic ones. To capitalize on this technological advancement, he founded U.M.C. Despite his expertise in marketing and finance, Hartley lacked knowledge of production techniques. He addressed this by hiring Alfred C. Hobbs, the former superintendent of Howe Sewing Machine Co., to develop the necessary manufacturing equipment. Hobbs innovated upon existing metal-forming practices, notably designing a unique machine for loading shells. His production line, operational by 1870, could produce 120,000 cartridges daily.
In 1888, Hartley acquired E. Remington and Sons, a renowned arms manufacturer from Ilion, NY, merging the firms into Remington-U.M.C. Though the companies maintained separate operations, both divisions were pivotal in supplying Allied military material during World War I. Between 1914 and 1916, the plant expanded significantly, growing from 143 buildings with 16 acres of floor space to 313 buildings encompassing 40 acres. This expansion mainly occurred in two complexes situated north and south of Barnum Avenue.
By 1933, after enduring three years of declining sales, Remington-U.M.C. offered a controlling interest to E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Co. Under DuPont’s ownership, the Remington Arms Company continued producing many of the same products it had since World War I, including munitions, firearms, bayonets, and pocket knives. When Roth conducted his survey of the facility in the late 1970s, DuPont still operated much of the plant. However, around 1980, the property north of St. Augustine Cemetery, identified as the ‘Northern Plant,’ was sold to the Alimak Elevator Company, resulting in the demolition of several historic factory buildings for new construction. DuPont eventually closed the remainder of the plant, selling it off to various new owners in 1986.
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| A large hydraulic press machine lying on its side unmolested by scrappers. It probably weighed a ton. |
The portion of the complex south of Arctic Street, known as the ‘Southern Plant,’ was purchased by the Remgrit Corporation, an abrasives and cutting tool manufacturer. Remgrit retained the property for just one year before selling it to a development company.
The story of the Remington Arms-Union Metallic Cartridge Company complex begins in 1867 when the Union Metallic Cartridge Company established a shop in the East End of Bridgeport. The company thrived, leading to its acquisition by Remington Arms, which, in 1915, expanded the factory into a sprawling 73-acre manufacturing complex. During the first half of the 20th century, it became one of the largest munitions factories in the world, employing over 17,000 workers and producing vast quantities of ammunition and weapons annually. This massive facility was a testament to the Industrial Era, serving as both a powerful economic engine and a critical cornerstone of the American military complex.
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| The afternoon sunlight was top-tier this day. That will do it! |
The Union Metallic Cartridge Company initially built the Bridgeport production complex in 1867, with the iconic shot tower completed in 1909. This 10-story, 190-foot-tall tower, the tallest building in Connecticut for many years, was both functional and ornamental. It was designed for the production of shot by pouring molten metal through a sieve at the top, dropping it 133 feet to form perfect spheres, which were then cooled and solidified in water in the basement.
The second oldest surviving building in the plant is the ten-story, 66' x 90' red brick shot tower, located at the northwest corner of the complex. Built-in 1909, the shot tower is a three-tiered structure. The first tier stands four stories tall, the second tier two stories and the final tier rises the remaining four floors to the top of the building. The tower features large rectangular window openings with cast stone sills and lintels, multipane steel sash windows, corbelled red brick cornices, a cast stone entablature, a modillioned cornice, and a rooftop balustrade. Adjoining the tower's west elevation is a one-story, 78' x 90' red brick block.
One of the largest components of the plant was located south of the shot tower and extended to Barnum Avenue. This vast expanse of industrial buildings was a bustling hub of activity, reflecting the site's significant role in both local industry and national defense.
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| I never figured out what these machines were used for. If anyone knows drop the info in the comments, please. I would like to know as well. |
Like any major factory, the Remington Arms-Union Metallic Cartridge Company complex experienced its share of tragedies. Fatal accidents were not uncommon, including the harrowing instances of employees falling into giant pots of molten metal. One of the most devastating incidents occurred in 1942, during the peak of the factory's wartime production, when a deadly explosion rocked the production floor. This horrific accident—speculated by some to have been an act of wartime sabotage—claimed the lives of seven workers and injured 80 others.
Despite numerous accidents, the most notable disaster took place in 1906 when 16 tons of gunpowder exploded. The blast caused damage as far away as Long Island, yet miraculously, no lives were lost. This catastrophic event preceded the 1912 merger of the Union Metallic Cartridge Company with Remington. Following the merger, the Bridgeport factory became the company's headquarters, expanding to cover 73 acres.
During both World Wars, Remington's Bridgeport facilities played a crucial role in arms manufacturing, supplying weapons to the United States and its allies, including Britain, France, and Russia. However, the Great Depression took a toll on the company, leading to the sale of a controlling share of its stock to gunpowder manufacturer DuPont. Although Remington diversified its production over the years—manufacturing clothing, typewriters, household utensils, cash registers, and tools—firearms and ammunition remained its primary source of income.
In 1970, Remington opened a new ammunition factory in Lonoke, Arkansas, and subsequently discontinued munitions production in Bridgeport. The company's headquarters moved to Wilmington, Delaware, in 1984, and by 1988, all production in Bridgeport had ceased. The once-mighty complex was abandoned, symbolizing economic decline for the city and presenting a daunting and expensive remediation challenge that hindered repurposing efforts.
Remington's fortunes continued to wane, leading to bankruptcy filings in 2018 and again in 2020. The company's decline was fueled by a combination of factors, including decreasing sales, a tarnished reputation following a high-profile exposé on trigger defects that caused several deaths, and lawsuits from families of victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting. In a bid to salvage what remained, Remington was sold off in parts at auction, with its trademarks and ammunition business acquired by Vista Outdoor.
The iconic shot tower now boarded up with black-painted pressed wood panels, stands as a testament to the city’s industrial heritage. The city has invested $3 million into the preservation and protection of the tower, reflecting its historical and architectural significance. This effort is part of a broader initiative to retain and honor the city's past while paving the way for future development.
The 16-acre property has been subdivided. The city has taken title to 11 acres, which included brick structures that had stood for at least a century before being demolished. The remaining 5 acres, mostly vacant, are retained by the current property owner, Remgrit Realty.
This redevelopment marks a pivotal moment for Bridgeport, symbolizing both the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter. The preservation of the shot tower ensures that a piece of the city’s industrial legacy remains intact, serving as a beacon of historical memory amidst the changing urban landscape. As Bridgeport moves forward, the remnants of the Remington Arms complex will continue to remind residents and visitors of the city's rich industrial past and its ongoing evolution.
Sources:
1. Remington Arms Munition Factory, Abandoned America
2. Christopher, Matthews, The Old Remington Arms Munition Factory, Route 1 Views
3. Coppola, Rich, "Bridgeport begins demolition of Remington Arms factory," April 14, 2023, WTNH News8
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