Rocky Hill in Capitol Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
Butler and Sugden Shear Factory
1854-1865
Photographed by Conrad Ward, May 25, 2025
1. Butler and Sugden Shear Factory Marker
William Sage Butler and Robert Sugden, Jr. established the "Pleasant Valley Foundry" on this site for the manufacture of shears and miscellaneous hardware. Butler also invented and produced at this site a single shot muzzle loading pistol. In 1860 Butler and Sugden employed 30 men and 4 women, but the business burned in 1865.
It was rebuilt and sold to Elisha Stevens, from Cromwell, who produced miniature toys, cast iron banks and chandeliers. In the mid 1870s the business again burned, never to be rebuilt.
Slag piles and remnants of the foundry furnace were visible at this site in 2002. Three archaeological digs were held, led by June Cooke, with members of the Friends of the Office of State Archaeology (FOSA). Two of these digs were for the benefit of the Connecticut Museum of Natural History and the Connecticut Archaeology Center located at the University of Connecticut. Many artifacts were recovered in the course of the excavation.
(captions)
Artifacts recovered from the 2002 dig
Grid from archaeological dig in 2002
June Cooke and other volunteers at the archaeological dig, 2002
Dividend - Rocky Hill's First Industrial Complex, by June Cooke
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology
this page online
Location. 41° 38.578′ N, 72° 38.422′ W. Marker is in Rocky Hill in Capitol Region, Connecticut. It can be reached from Pleasant Valley Road. Located in Dividend Pond Archaeological District. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Rocky Hill CT 06067, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Connecticut River Valley, in Greater Hartford, and in the Knowledge Corridor. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Hartford County and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Butler and Sugden Dam and Sluiceway (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Butler Grist Mill (approx. 0.3 miles away); Bulkeley Mill Dam (approx. 0.4 miles away); Butler Saw Mill (approx. 0.4 miles away); Bulkeley's New Corne Mill (approx. 0.4 miles away); C. E. Billings Manufacturing Co. (approx. 0.4 miles away); An Historic Timeline - Dividend Pond Archaeological District (approx. 0.4 miles away); Welles & Wilcox Manufacturing (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rocky Hill.
Photographed by Conrad Ward, May 25, 2025
2. Butler and Sugden Shear Factory Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 31, 2026, by Conrad Ward of Guilford, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 31, 2026, by Conrad Ward of Guilford, Connecticut. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
