The video and slides from the “Hopewell 57” presentation on Oct. 9, 2024 now are available on the History Project site, along with the updated 25-page History Brief research paper on the facility and the street.
This work is intended to document the history of this for this crazy-quilt of a manufacturing complex, and the adjacent empty property along Somerset Street – and to provide historical context to the current discussions in town about the next steps for this property.
In addition, local contributors have kindly responded with additional photos and information – We have 1960 construction photos that that help understand how these buildings were built. And we have family photos showing the people who helped create and run the business that provided for 75 years of good local jobs.
- See “Hopewell 57” Presentation Video and References
- History Brief – 57 Hamilton Ave. – Kooltronic / Rockwell / Smith (PDF)
- Video – Smith to Rockwell to “Hopewell 57” on YouTube Channel
- Slides – Smith to Rockwell to “Hopewell 57” (PDF)
Building Construction
These building photos, courtesy of Roger Labaw and Bob Gantz, show the construction and final appearance of the 1960 major Rockwell addition at the corner of Hamilton and Lafayette.
The different foundations are clearly visible under the two-story 1937/1940s sections facing Hamilton.
Both sides of the long 1935 back addition extending parallel to Hamilton also are visible in the photos. This 1960 addition covered the front of the extension, and the back was covered later by the 1984 Kooltronic addition.
- See additional construction photos and other Rockwell images and artifacts in the Image Gallery
H. A. Smith Family Photos
Gary and Tim Smith kindly shared these family photos of their great-grandfather, Hugh A. Smith, who started the Smith Novelty Company in Hopewell in 1901, which grew into the later Hopewell Division of the Rockwell Manufacturing Company.
These photos show Hugh A. Smith in relaxed poses, and with his son, Alfred H. Smith, who continued with the business after H. A. left town in 1918. Five generations of this Smith family worked in and/or managed the business during its 75 years in Hopewell. These were particularly welcome, because we previously did not have any photos of H. A. Smith.
We welcome additional images, artifacts, and information that we can share on these companies.
More on Smith / Rockwell / Kooltronic
The large Smith / Rockwell / Kooltronic manufacturing facility at the end of Hamilton Ave. at Somerset St. expanded from a small job shop to a large manufacturing plant providing over 200 local jobs.
History
- Post – The Kooltronic / Rockwell / Smith Story
- History Brief – 57 Hamilton Ave. – Kooltronic / Rockwell / Smith (PDF)
- Post – Rockwell Fire Brigade on Somerset
- Post – “Hopewell 57” Historical Questions – and answers
Presentation
- Post – Hopewell 57 – Presentation Video and References
- Presentation video – Smith to Rockwell to “Hopewell 57” on YouTube Channel
- Presentation slides – Smith to Rockwell to “Hopewell 57” (PDF)
Documents
- Post – Smith Novelty Co. Business Invoices – c1910
- Documents – Rockwell brochures in the Pamphlet Collection
Media
- Post – Rockwell Artifacts and Photos
- Photos – Rockwell images and artifacts in the Image Gallery
- Presentation / Video – Hopewell with the Arrival of the Railroad – How Hopewell became a town – including Rockwell and Somerset Ave.
