Rockwell Ave.
Rockwell Avenue has an interesting history and is a very interesting street. The street was designed by Charles Berger, who in the early 1900’s had a vision to develop open area between Hillside Avenue and Salem Street hill. There was a portion of the Porter farm that was purchased and the plan took solid roots. Mr. Charles Berger, an executive at the Iron Malleable Company and later a VP at Naugatuck Savings Bank was a man of vision and knew that he could develop the land and build many residential homes which were sold to other Naugatuck industrialists. Rockwell Avenue then became known as a superior residential street. The name Rockwell Avenue was actually chosen based on a rock well that is still located at 45 Rockwell Avenue. The well was eventually covered with a heavy granite stone to provide safety and protection for residents.
4 Rockwell Avenue
Lewis Dibble House 1916
In 1910 Naugatuck’s citizens were dependent on the rubber industry for the prosperity of the town. Seasonal layoffs in the rubber industry proved a hardship for citizens, as well as, the town’s economy. A decision was made at a January 1910 Town Meeting “to endeavor to bring new industry to town”. By the end of the meeting, $25,000 was pledged by one hundred and fourteen citizens to form a manufacturing company. They ultimately decided to purchase a faltering tool works in Waterbury known as The Risdon Tool and Machine Company.
In August of 1913 Risdon’s Directors made a decision that would ensure the company’s success, they hired twenty-eight-year-old Lewis Dibble to be their General Manager. Dibble was a graduate of Yale’s Sheffield Scientific School. Under Dibble’s supervision the company paid the first dividend of its common stock. Risdon would go on to become the premier manufacturer of cosmetic cases in the United States.
Mr. Dibble and his family later moved, a few blocks away, to Beacher Street. Here, he would have a dollhouse built for his daughter that was an exact miniature of his new house. The dollhouse was donated to the Naugatuck Historical Society and is still in our collection.
A later resident of the house was Anne Bristol Brodie, granddaughter of Franklin Bristol who founded Waterbury’s Bristol Company. Her parents’ home is at 485 Hillside Avenue, very near the Dibble Mansion.
45 Rockwell Avenue
Charles Berger’s home at 45 Rockwell Avenue was the first home to be built. And it is, to this day, a stately home in the Colonial Revival style that will transport you back to an era when plaster walls and elaborate crown moldings, high ceilings, chandeliers and natural woodwork were the only way to build.
Today, 45 Rockwell Avenue, is known to most Naugatuck residents as the home of Joanne and the late Raymond Dowling. This lovely home was, in December 2005, featured in the Hartford Courant, Homes for the Holidays section, where 3 of their 13 Christmas trees were pictured, all of them decorated in a theme of pink, mauve and gold with ribbons, lights and elegant decorations of cherubs, angels, ballet dancers, purses, slippers and beads reminiscent of the bygone Victorian era. But it doesn’t stop there. The mantle and doorways are all decorated with an elaborate elegance that when seen causes the viewer to say, “Oh my, but I have stepped back in time.” It is. Is. Gorgeous. The White House is not this spectacular.
Built in 1905, it is 119 years young, and has been loved by four families. The Bergers (1905–1963), Dr. Hoovis and his family (1963–1969), David and Elaine Talevi (1969–1971), and the Dowling family (1971–2023). This lovely and spaciously comfortable home features 15 rooms all with high ceilings, dark oak woodwork and unique crown moldings throughout; and, it stands strong as a reminder of beautiful architecture and imagination of use of space.
When you drive between two granite posts down to the circular driveway you see a spacious landscape, and a lovely porch – this porch is the side entrance. Further along the drive is the grand entry of granite stones and stairs leading to a covered portico and open granite patio. To the left of the entry you see a beautiful leaded glass solarium that showcases wonderful white wicker furniture treasures acquired during many Cape Cod summers.
Once you enter the welcoming grand foyer you see before you a beautiful tall fireplace, a baby grand piano and main tiered staircase. The downstairs rooms flow from both sides of the foyer. The formal living room on the right, the den or family room, formal dining room with its grand Waterford chandelier, and the kitchen are all to the left side of the foyer.
You will not experience a Victorian Christmas when you visit this stately and cherished home, but you will leave with a beautiful memory of an elegant era…that…will last a lifetime.
56 Rockwell Avenue
This home was built circa 1904. The intersecting gambrel roofs with flaring eaves are a hallmark of the Colonial Revival style, which was in the height of fashion when this house was built.
The local history of the house says it was built for John Howard Whittemore’s daughter as a wedding present. It might explain the gaps in when it was built and when F.F. Schaeffer moved in to the home in 1913.
Harris Whittemore Memorial
After Mr. Whittemore’s death, the residents of Rockwell Ave. and Salem St. created a monument with a bronze tablet in honor of Mr. Whittemore for his efforts to beautify Naugatuck. The monument and the pin oak tree remind us of Mr. Whittemore’s generosity to his community.
In 1904 Charles Berger, who was active in the Eastern Malleable Iron Co., conceived a plan of development for the open area between Hillside Ave. and Salem St. Mr. Berger, intent on making a very attractive street, made sure that grass was planted between the road and the sidewalks. He had sugar maples planted along the sidewalks.
Harris Whittemore Sr. recommended that a beautiful pin oak tree be planted at the center triangle. After Mr. Whittemore died, the residents of Rockwell Avenue and Salem Street created a monument with a bronze tablet to honor his efforts to beautify Naugatuck.
Rockwell Avenue became known as a superior residential street.