Submitted by Shannon Healy
(March 24, 2023) — A groundbreaking ceremony at the site of the former Scovil Hoe factory in Higganum is scheduled for Sunday, April 30, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. The event will feature a food truck from Grand Apizza and music from the band Foxtrotter. The public is welcome to attend.
The former D. and H. Scovil Company’s Mill No. 4 complex is comprised of two circa 1867 red brick mill buildings, standing parallel to one another along the north side of Candlewood Hill Brook. The buildings are typical of forge and foundry buildings built during the late 19th century and are characterized by their comparatively long overall length and gable roofs with clerestory monitors.
A historical adaptive re-use and restoration of the Scovil Hoe Building Complex at 11 Candlewood Hill Road, Higganum, has been approved for conversion to shops, galleries, Lifestyle Business Offices™, a full-service restaurant, and winery/brewery.
The investment banking firm Parker Benjamin has contracted with the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation and the Town of Haddam to acquire and restore the historic mill buildings. Nomination to the Historic Register is in the works. The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development has awarded the property a $1.8 million Financial Assistance Proposal for environmental and HBM remediation. Applications for state & federal historic tax credits are being made for this project.
