Ansonia Clock Company History
The Ansonia Clock Company stands as one of the most important and prolific names in American clock-making. Its story spans innovation, industrial ambition, artistic experimentation, catastrophic loss, rebirth, and global influence—making Ansonia clocks especially compelling to historians and collectors alike.
Early American Clock-making Foundations (Pre-1844)
By 1838, American clock-making had largely transitioned from cast brass and wooden mechanisms to more affordable rolled brass movements. At the time, the leading clock-makers in Bristol, Connecticut were Terry & Andrews, who produced over 25,000 clocks annually using nearly 58 tons of brass and a workforce of about 50 people.
Anson Greene Phelps—already a major brass importer—recognized an opportunity. By entering clock manufacturing, Phelps could profit from both the raw brass materials and the finished clocks themselves.
Formation of Ansonia & Strategic Partnership (1844–1853)
In 1844, Phelps partnered with Terry & Andrews, acquiring a 50% stake in their clock manufacturing operation. In exchange, Terry & Andrews agreed to relocate their entire business to Ansonia, Connecticut, adjacent to Phelps’ brass facilities—creating a vertically integrated enterprise.
- 1851–1852: Andrews gradually exits the company, selling most of his stock in 1851 and the remainder to Terry in 1852.
- 1853: Ansonia exhibits cast iron case clocks at the New York World’s Fair—one of only three American clock firms represented.
That same year, at age 73, Anson G. Phelps transfers ownership of the Ansonia Clock Company to his son-in-law James B. Stokes, a director at Phelps, Dodge & Co. Phelps passes away later in 1853, leaving behind a powerful industrial legacy.
Fire, Collapse, and Industry Interruption (1854–1869)
In 1854, a devastating fire completely destroys the massive stone Ansonia Clock Company factory. The directors of Phelps, Dodge & Co. purchase the damaged property, while Terry later collaborates with P. T. Barnum in the ill-fated Terry & Barnum Manufacturing Company, which fails by 1856.
Despite this setback, clock-making did not vanish from Ansonia:
- 1854–1869: The Ansonia Brass & Battery Mill, a division of Phelps, Dodge & Co., continues producing brass clock movements for the wider industry.
- 1860: The company claims production of 22,000 clock movements and 2,000 completed clocks in a single year.
Rebirth and Rapid Expansion (1869–1886)
In 1869, the operation is reorganized as the Ansonia Brass & Copper Company, and full-scale clock manufacturing resumes.
- By June 1870, the company reports 83,503 clocks produced, employing 150 workers and consuming 90,000 pounds of brass annually.
- The 1873 price list features 45 clock and watch styles and 14 distinct movements.
In 1877, the clockmaking division is formally separated from brass milling, and The Ansonia Clock Company is reborn, incorporated in New York City.
That same year, Henry J. Davies—a clockmaker, inventor, and designer—joins as president. Davies is largely credited with creating Ansonia’s famous figure clocks, swing clocks, and novelty designs, many of which are now among the most sought-after Ansonia pieces.
- 1886: Ansonia produces over 225 distinct clock models, operating profitably and debt-free.
Innovation, Experimentation, and Mass Production (1878–1929)
In 1878, Thomas Edison visits the Ansonia factory to experiment with combining clocks and his newly invented phonograph. Alongside Edison’s chief assistant Charles Batchelor, Ansonia handled much of the research and development. The concept of a profitable “phonograph clock” ultimately failed—but remains a fascinating footnote in industrial history.
- 1904: Ansonia expands production of simple, affordable watches.
- By 1929, the company is believed to have produced approximately 10 million watches, in addition to millions of clocks.
Receivership and Soviet Transfer (1929)
Despite its enormous output, Ansonia enters receivership in 1929. The company’s remaining assets and machinery are ultimately sold to the Soviet government, marking one of the most unusual endings in American manufacturing history.
Enduring Legacy
Ansonia clocks remain highly collectible for their mechanical reliability, creative case designs, and sheer diversity. From elegant regulators and figural mantel clocks to industrial experiments that never reached the market, Ansonia’s history reflects the full arc of American clockmaking ambition.
For collectors and historians, Ansonia clocks are not just timekeepers—they are artifacts of innovation, resilience, and industrial artistry.
Concluding Paragraph
Whether you inherited an antique Ansonia clock or found one as a collector’s piece, proper care can keep it running for generations. If your Ansonia clock won’t run, won’t chime correctly, or needs restoration, Clock Repair Studio can help with expert diagnosis and professional repair services tailored to antique American clock movements.