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Andrew J CROFUT

Crofut and Knapp Co., East Norwalk, Conn.
museumofcthistory.org

The Norwalk, Connecticut hat manufacturer Crofut and Knapp began operations in 1858 as a result of a partnership between hatmakers James H. Knapp and Andrew J. Crofut. The firm specialized in firm or ‘hard’ hats and is credited with producing the first derby style hat in America in 1860. These were manufactured in a shop at the corner of North Main and Union Streets Norwalk. The Crofut and Knapp Company was incorporated in 1873 and by the late-19th century it occupied a second sprawling factory complex located at the corner of Tolles and Water Streets in South Norwalk, the heart of Norwalk’s hat industry at the time... connecticutmills.org



Postcard
Posted in the Past: Revealing the true stories written on a postcard