The History of Meriden: How a "Crossroads" Became the "Silver City"

Meriden, Connecticut, is a city whose history was forged not by its farms, but by its factories. Located at the "Crossroads of Connecticut," halfway between New Haven and Hartford, Meriden's story is a classic American tale of industrial ingenuity, immigrant labor, and global dominance. Its identity is forever linked to one industry: silver.

Early Settlement and Incorporation

The area that would become Meriden was first settled by Europeans in 1661 as a parish of the neighboring town of Wallingford. Known as North Farms, the community grew slowly as a quiet, agricultural outpost. In 1806, the town of Meriden was officially incorporated, separating from Wallingford. For its first few decades, it remained a modest town. However, the arrival of the railroad in 1839 changed everything, connecting the town's small workshops to the major markets of Boston and New York and setting the stage for an industrial explosion.

The Rise of the "Silver City"

Meriden's transformation into the "Silver City" began not with silver, but with pewter and Britannia ware, a high-quality pewter-like alloy.

• Early Innovators: In the early 1800s, craftsmen like Ashbel Griswold began manufacturing Britannia ware, which was a popular and affordable alternative to expensive sterling silver.
• The Meriden Britannia Company: The industry truly coalesced in 1852 with the formation of the Meriden Britannia Company. This conglomerate, led by Horace and Dennis Wilcox, united several smaller, competing workshops into a single, dominant manufacturing powerhouse. The company was renowned for its quality and artistry, winning the first-place medal for plated wares at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia.

The International Silver Company

By the late 19th century, Meriden was the undisputed center of American silverware. This dominance was cemented in 1898 with the formation of the International Silver Company. This massive trust, headquartered in Meriden, absorbed the Meriden Britannia Company and dozens of other silver manufacturers across the region.

At its peak, the International Silver Company was the largest silverware manufacturer in the world, producing a vast range of goods from everyday flatware to intricate, high-end sterling silver tea sets. The city's factories employed thousands of workers, many of whom were skilled immigrants from Germany, Italy, and Eastern Europe, who settled in Meriden's growing neighborhoods.

A Diversified Manufacturing Hub

While silver was its primary claim to fame, Meriden was also a major center for other industries. Its factories produced a wide variety of goods, including

• Glassware
• Lamps
• Guns (Parker Brothers shotguns)
• Musical instruments (Wilcox & White)

During World War II, the city's manufacturing prowess was redirected to the war effort, earning Meriden the title of "The Nation's Ideal War Community" for its exceptional production of military and medical supplies.

The End of an Era

The 20th century brought new challenges. The silver industry, which had defined the city for over 100 years, began a long decline after World War II. A combination of factors, including rising silver prices, a shift in consumer tastes away from formal silverware, and intense competition from less expensive foreign imports, led to factory closures. The International Silver Company, after years of decline, finally closed its last Meriden operations in the 1980s.

Today, Meriden is no longer the "Silver City," but its history is proudly preserved in its architecture, its parks, and the enduring resilience of its community.