New Britain is synonymous with the Stanley family. Not only were they original settlers to the area, they are also known for the Stanley Works. Stanley Works or the Stanley Tool Company (now Stanley Black & Decker) is one of the most successful tool manufacturers in the world. As with other wealthy industrialists, I figured the Stanley Mansion had to be impressive. With little direction, I drove to New Britain in search of the Stanley Mansion.
Stanley Tools began as two separate companies. Stanley’s Bolt Manufacturing was founded in 1843 by Frederick Trent Stanley and Stanley Rule and Level Company in 1857 by cousin Henry These two merged in 1920. Alix (A.W.) Stanley was director of the Stanley company in the early 20th century. He left his estate to the city of New Britain in 1928. What was his land is now an array of public parks. These include Stanley Quarter Park and A.W. Stanley Park, as well as the Stanley Golf Course.
Stanley Parks
Both Stanley Quarter and A.W. Stanley Park offers a picturesque setting to take a walk. They also have recreational facilities, including sports fields, a skate park, ponds, and an Olympic size pool. Stanley Quarter once had a ski area to boot. The Stanley parks are top destinations in the city, but still, there was no trace of the mansion.
Little was to be found online or in primary source texts. There is mention of the home of Alix and family, called Tiponittin in a Hartford history book. One article in the Courant from 22 years ago was the only real lead I had though. It mentioned that the mansion burned in 1940 (so much for seeing it) and that the ruins lay in woods behind an elementary school and a neighborhood, but are also part of the parkland, albeit unpublicized.
In Search of the Stanley Mansion
We parked at A.W. Stanley Park, near the basketball court. Across the street are two stone pillars which could be the entryway to the former estate’s driveway. Unfortunately, it looked like it was now in someone’s yard, and a trail was not visible behind it.
The article says that a path is right behind Holmes Elementary School. The back entrance to this school is right next to the home with the stone pillars. My wife and I crossed the street, went up the steady incline of the school parking lot, and looked to head behind it. I was afraid of a goose chase, trying to find an overgrown path written about 22 years ago.
Luckily, as soon as I turned the corner, the path was there, located behind the easternmost section of the school. It was distinctly a path, without signage of any kind though. Although the article said the path wasn’t far behind the school, we were a bit uneasy chasing ruins in woodland behind an elementary school, with no direction.
On the trail of the Stanley Mansion
We followed the trail along the back perimeter of the school and took a left on a trail marked with red blazes. This was already not as close as the article made it seem. I read in the Hartford history book that the estate was perched on a hillside with views of Hartford. Logically this path made sense as it continued to climb. Eventually, on this path there was a spur, to the left and to the right, which we avoided and kept going straight. At the next spur, we continued straight/right on the red-blazed trail. Uphill a bit more, there is a small spur or clearing on the left. Here are the ruins of the Stanley Mansion. Without the new growth forest covering the land, I’m sure Stanley’s view was quite grand.
All that is left of the mansion is the stone foundation, although one can see where the fireplace was, as well as presumably other rooms of the mansion. There were traces of partygoers, a little graffiti, and trash, but with such a remote location, not as much as I expected. Some say this spot is haunted, but we didn’t stick around to see anything creepy. It was creepy enough to be in the middle of unknown woods to find these ruins.
Heading back
After perusing the site for a bit, we circled towards the back and continued on a trail on the backside of the property. We headed west, hoping it was the same way as we entered. My guess was this could have been the former estate’s driveway. The trail was also marked with red blazes. My hypothesis is the original trail is a loop, with this being the second half of it. Before we knew it, staying on the red, not on any spurs, this trail led back to the intersection we took before finding the property. From there we headed the way we came.
The Stanley property also included outbuildings and two other homes. I enjoyed piecing together the puzzle of Tiponittin, while in search of the Stanley Mansion even though only ruins remain.
Alvarium Beer Company
While you’re exploring the woods in search of the Stanley Mansion, I recommend heading over to Alvarium Beer at 365 John Downey Drive. Located in an industrial park, the space is really nicely done. It’s huge, with a large indoor part that has a rehabbed warehouse feel. The metal tanks and the wood-paneled taproom complement each other nicely. There are fluorescent and honeycomb style lights overhead.
It also has a very cool patio area outside with tables and when I visited, a food truck. It’s a popular spot that brews good beer. Their beers include an array of IPAs, along with others such as lagers, stouts, and pale ales. I really enjoyed the Honey Shot, an IPA dripping with real honey. Their beer is also available in stores now throughout Connecticut. I do wish I bought the “Little Hard Hittin’” onesie for my son (in reference to New Britain’s nickname). Alvarium is a name for a beehive. The city has bee connections with the former double-A New Britain Red Sox stadium called the Beehive and in reference to that, the current amateur baseball team called the New Britain Bees. With this there’s a whole lotta bees in New Britain.
