Smith to Rockwell to “Hopewell 57” – Presentation Video and References

The “Hopewell 57” complex at the corner of Hamilton Avenue and Somerset Street in Hopewell Borough was first known as Smith Novelty, and then Rockwell and Kooltronic.

This presentation – Smith to Rockwell to “Hopewell 57” – chronicles the saga of Hugh A. Smith, who chose Hopewell in 1901 to pursue his dream of establishing a manufacturing business. It then traces the evolution of the small Smith company into Rockwell, and the associated development of the company and the associated building complex along Hamilton Avenue and Somerset Street.

Hopewell 57 History – Smith / Rockwell / Kooltronic

The Smith Novelty Company built its first factory on the north side of Somerset Street in 1901, and built a second factory in in 1905, in what became the parking lot across from the later complex. The company was incorporated in 1915 as H.A. Smith Manufacturing Co., and then became the H. A. Smith Machine Co. after it was purchased in 1929. In 1945, the parent company took the Rockwell name, and the local facility became the Hopewell Division of the Rockwell Manufacturing Co., and became the Rockwell Taximeter operation in 1963.

In 1974, Rockwell closed the Hopewell site, which was acquired by Kooltronic, Inc. in 1975. After further expansions, Kooltronic left the site in 1999, and the building became the Hopewell Center, for office space and storage. Beginning in 1990, the site also was discovered to be contaminated by the previous manufacturing, which resulted in ongoing remediation of the soil, buildings, and groundwater.

As of 2024, the site is best known as “Hopewell 57,” and is under active discussion for development.

Hopewell 57 Video and Slides

The Smith to Rockwell to “Hopewell 57” – A Hopewell Story presentation by Douglas Dixon, was held on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at the Hopewell Presbyterian Church.

It was part of the Hopewell Public Library Speaker Series, co-sponsored by the Hopewell Valley Historical Society and The Hopewell Museum.