Hurwood Manufacturing Company (United Pattern Co)

United Pattern Company was an enigma along Railroad Avenue in Bridgeport, Connecticut. From the outside, it appeared robust, standing tall with its mortar interlocking brickwork, a seemingly steadfast presence on the aptly named avenue. However, beneath this tough facade, the building was but a hollow shell, held together by struts and wooden boards, completely devoid of floors.

For years, as I traversed different parts of Bridgeport, the sight of this building became a familiar landmark. I passed it multiple times, and from the rooftop of the nearby Casco Manufacturing building, I could see it from above—a stark reminder of a bygone era. It was an empty husk, a relic of industrial history that I encountered time and again during my travels through various Connecticut cities and towns.

My friend J had once advised me that attempting to explore the interior was futile, as it was merely an empty shell. The only interior photographs of the place were taken by Stephen Berner. Aside from Berner's images and my observations, the building had largely escaped the spotlight. Despite my best efforts to unearth its history from the deepest reaches of the internet, I could find only scant references. The company's name and address appeared briefly in the National Register of Historic Places, but substantial details remained elusive.

Based on the weathered sign painted on the right side of the building, United Pattern Company specialized in wood and metal patterns, models, and aluminum match plates. Yet, the specifics of its operations and its historical significance remain largely untold, locked away in the memories of a few and the silent bricks of its skeletal structure.

The Hurwood Manufacturing Company Inc. was established on March 28, 1903, with an initial capital stock of $50,000. In a strategic move, the company purchased the entire plant, including all stock, machinery, accounts, and patents, from The Acme Manufacturing Company. This acquisition allowed Hurwood Mfg Co. to secure a site on Railroad Avenue in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

The company's journey began modestly in July 1901, in a small 20x30 feet shop located in Plantsville, Southington, Connecticut, bought for $500. At this early stage, Hurwood employed about 50 men and focused on producing the well-known Hurwood screwdriver. By September of the same year, the company expanded into a larger facility, enabling them to diversify their product line. They began manufacturing specialized screwdrivers for cabinet makers and electricians, including the Pony screwdriver, widely used by typewriter manufacturers, sewing machine manufacturers, and jewelers.

One of their notable innovations was the extension screwdriver, which became an essential tool for piano tuners, allowing them to reach screws in the bottom of piano cases. However, the machinist screwdriver stood out as their most popular tool, a unique design not previously conceived by any other manufacturer.

In addition to screwdrivers, Hurwood Manufacturing also produced various types of awls. These hand tools, consisting of a handle—often wooden—and a sharp metal blade, are essential for piercing, widening holes, or scoring and tracing in various crafting processes. The company's range of awls served numerous important roles in the crafting industry, showcasing their commitment to innovation and quality.

In 1901, George E. Wood, a resident of Southington, Connecticut, collaborated with John A. Hurley, the proprietor of the Acme Manufacturing Company, to bring Wood’s innovative solid-headed screwdriver design to life. This partnership marked the inception of the Hurwood Company. However, by 1903, the relationship between Wood and Hurley had soured, prompting Hurley to relocate the business to his hometown of Bridgeport, Connecticut. There, it was re-established as the Hurwood Manufacturing Company.

Hurley constructed a new plant on Railroad Avenue, expanding the company's product line to include hardware, lanterns, food choppers, screwdrivers, and other hand tools. The firm's diversification underscored Hurley's entrepreneurial vision. By 1908, the company underwent a reorganization and was renamed John Hurley, Incorporated. This new entity focused on manufacturing lanterns and food choppers, though by 1912, lantern production ceased. A year later, Hurley sold the food chopper business to devote himself to real estate and insurance ventures. Notably, Hurley was among the pioneers who built a fifteen-mile electric railroad from Meriden to Southington and Lake Compounce.

Following these changes, the Railroad Avenue plant was acquired by the Coe-Stapley Manufacturing Company, which had shared part of the property with John Hurley, Incorporated since around 1910. Founded in October 1909 by Benjamin L. and Benjamin S. Coe, William S. Stapley, and E.B. Shoemaker, Coe-Stapley specialized in sheet metal goods and became renowned for its automobile and bicycle pumps. By the late 1910s, it had emerged as the largest manufacturer of such pumps in the United States and Canada. Despite this success, the company faced financial difficulties and declared bankruptcy in 1920. 

P.J. Holdsworth of New York acquired the assets, intending to reorganize and reopen the plant. However, this plan never materialized, and the facility was taken over by the E.W. Carpenter Company. Founded by Edwin W. Carpenter in 1917, a former employment agent at Remington Arms and Ammunition Company, the E.W. Carpenter Company initially operated at 515 Union Avenue in Bridgeport, specializing in machine tools. Over time, the company diversified into producing metal goods such as razors and staplers. By 1930, it had become an independent branch of Bridgeport’s Acme Shear Company and remained operational until 1954.

Post-1954, the Railroad Avenue plant saw a succession of small manufacturers. These included Conso Metal Products, Incorporated, during the 1950s, and Consolidated Electro Dynamics Corporation, United Pattern Company, and Radio Printing Corporation in the 1960s. Other entities associated with the site over the years included United Castings Company and Dudgeon Richard Inc.

The industrial history of Railroad Avenue is a testament to the dynamic nature of American manufacturing. From the pioneering days of Hurwood Manufacturing to the diversified production lines of Coe-Stapley and the eventual rise of E.W. Carpenter Company, this address has witnessed significant industrial evolution. Each business left its mark, contributing to a rich tapestry of innovation and enterprise that shaped Bridgeport's economic landscape.

Sources:

1. Nongovernment Organization Codes for Military Standard Contract Administration Procedures (MILSCAP), United States and Canada, Code to Name. (1974). United States: Department of Defense, Defense Logistics Agency, Defense Logistics Services Center. pp.594.

2. Directory of New England Manufacturers. (1985). United States: George D. Hall. pp.27.

3. Berner, S. (n.d.). (United Pattern. Bridgeport). 45dgree.

4. Public Documents of the State of Connecticut. (1904). United States: order of the General Assembly. pp. 36, 214-215.

5. History of Bridgeport and Vicinity, Volume 3: Biographical. (2022). (n.p.): Jazzybee Verlag.

6. The Budget Report of the State Board of Finance and Control to the General Assembly, Session of [1929-] 1937. (1904). United States: The State. pp.214-215.

7. National Register of Historic Places. (n.d.). Railroad Avenue Historical District. National Park Service. p. 3.

8. Report. (1903). United States: (n.p.).

9. Special Acts of the State of Connecticut. (1910). United States: The State. pp.1205.

10. Waldo, G. C. (1917). History of Bridgeport and Vicinity. United States: S. J. Clarke Publishing. pp.504.

11. Connecticut Historic Places Dictionary. (2008). United States: State History Publications, LLC. pp.102.

12. The Street Railway Journal. (1922). United States: McGraw Publishing Company. pp.582.