Historic Mills of Connecticut

Companies Associated w/Complex

• Advanced Aluminum, LLC 2001-2010
• Peerless Aluminum Foundry Co. 1947-2001
• Peerless Foundry Co. ca. 1941-1947

Use (Historic)

• Fabricated Metal Products

Largest Documented Workforce

50 (2001).

Historic Narrative

The Peerless Foundry Company was organized in Bridgeport, Connecticut in 1938. The firm was established by Peter S. Hardy and Frank J. Karandisevski, former employees at the Parcit Manufacturing Company, a Bridgeport firm that specialized in the production of aluminum castings. Hardy and Karandisevski’s work at the Peerless Foundry Company initially focused on the manufacture of bronze castings and the firm’s first plant was located in a small shop on Mountain Grove Street. The company moved to a new plant on Andover Street in 1941, and by 1944 had shifted its primary focus to the production of aluminum castings. Karandisevski appears to have left the firm around 1947, the same time that the business was reorganized as the Peerless Aluminum Foundry Company. Peter S. Hardy held the role of the new entity’s president and treasurer, while his daughter Nadine served as the company’s secretary. The Peerless Aluminum Foundry Company remained in business in Bridgeport until 2001, whereupon it was acquired by Advanced Aluminum, LLC of Birmingham, Alabama. At the time of the acquisition, the Peerless Aluminum Foundry Company employed 50 hands and produced aluminum castings for the aerospace, aviation, and medical industries. The firm was capable of manufacturing castings up to 1,200 lbs using both virgin and reclaimed aluminum. Foundry operations have since been terminated and the former Peerless Aluminum Foundry Company plant is used as a building supply storage yard and warehouse.

Number of Existing Buildings

Roughly nine (9) adjoining primary blocks.

Dates of Construction

ca. 1942, ca. 1960, ca. 1980.

Architect

n/a

Builder

n/a

Building Type

• Mill
• Powerhouse
• Warehouse / Production Shed

Architectural Description

The former Peerless Foundry Company plant consists of roughly nine adjoining primary blocks located at the eastern terminus of Andover Street, southern terminus of Peerless Place, and north side of Spruce Street. The buildings comprising the complex are clustered in a confusing amalgamation of original construction, additions, and expansion. The plant measures roughly 26’ x 410’ overall and all of the blocks are either one or two stories in height. There are three blocks at the southern end of the facility that date to its original construction in 1941. These consist of a one-story, 102’ x 42’ steel-frame foundry with a gable roof interrupted by two flat-roofed skylights; a one-story, 38’ x 56’ steel-frame and concrete foundry with a gabled clerestory monitor topped by a line of six metal ventilators; and a one-and-a-half-story, 52’ x 40’ red brick boiler house with a concrete foundation and flat roof. The plant was significantly enlarged by ca. 1965 when three additional one-story concrete block building were erected on what was then the north side of Andover Street (Andover Street previously ran through the facility to Spruce Street). These were joined with the southern plant around 1980 when a two-story, 82’ x 122’ steel-frame block was built across and eliminated Spruce Street. This building is among the most easily recognizable within the facility as it has corrugated metal walls topped by a course of ribbon windows along the eaveline of its flat roof. Another prominent block is located at the southwest corner of the plant ca. 1960. This is a two-story, 78’ x 174’ red brick block with small rectangular window openings and a flat roof. The south and west elevations of the building are parged with concrete and have been painted white. These elevations face Spruce Street and a new apartment building located to the west.

Exterior Material(s)

• Brick
• Concrete Block
• Steel

Structural System(s)

• Load Bearing Masonry
• Structural Steel or Iron

Roof Form

• Flat
• Gable
• Monitor

Roof Material

• Asphalt
• Tar and Gravel

Power Source

• Electricity

Condition

Fair

Condition Notes

The plant is in fair condition. The exterior walls are in need of minor repairs, however, the majority of the blocks retain their original windows. The plant appears well maintained and structurally sound.

Specific Location

One 3.22-acre parcel (55 Andover Street) located at the eastern terminus of Andover Street, southern terminus of Peerless Place, and north side of Spruce Street.

Adjacent To

n/a

Exterior Visible from Public Road?

Yes

Parcel ID / Assessor Record Link

• 12/ 308/ 39/D building 3 / Link →

Acreage

3.22

Use (Present)

• Commercial
• Vacant

Form Completed By

Lucas A. Karmazinas

Date

01/22/2016

Bibliography

1. List of Connecticut Manufacturers, 1922, 1924, 1930, 1932.
2. Directory of Connecticut State Manufacturers, 1936, 1939.
3. Industrial Directory of Connecticut, 1947.
4. Register of War Production Facilities in Connecticut, 1951.
5. Map of Fairfield County; Baker, William A., 1854.
6. Atlas of the City of Bridgeport; J.B. Beers & Co., 1876.
7. Atlas of the City and Town of Bridgeport; G.M. Hopkins & Co., 1888, 1917.
8. Atlas of Bridgeport; Kershaw, William H., 1910.
9. Sanborn Map Company, 1884, 1888, 1898, 1904, 1913, 1939, 1950.
10. Aerial Survey of Connecticut, 1934, 1951, 1965, 1970, 1985.
11. Bridgeport City Directory, Various editions.
12. Hartford Courant, 1930. 1986.
13. Brigeport Telegram, 1926.
14. A History of the Old Town of Stratford and the City of Bridgeport; Orcutt, Samuel, 1886.
15. History of Bridgeport and Vicinity; S.J. Clarke Publishing, 1917.
16. Old Woodworking Machinery Blog Site.