The Hawthorne Family House Abandoned After Printing Company Collapse

The Hawthorne family established Brookfield House in the town of Millerton in 1906 after Samuel Hawthorne purchased the property while expanding his local printing company. Samuel, his wife Clara, their two daughters, and Samuel’s mother lived in the two-story residence. The family income came from newspaper printing, commercial orders, and bookbinding contracts.

Local records described Brookfield House as a respected neighborhood home with preserved architectural details, maintained grounds, and regular repairs before changing business conditions affected the Hawthorne family’s finances.

The first warning sign appeared in 1928 when several newspaper clients moved their printing work to larger companies in nearby cities. By 1930, Samuel received overdue notices from paper suppliers and reduced the printing staff to remain open. The family dismissed their gardener, closed the upper bedrooms, and delayed repairs to the porch arches, roof tiles, and broken shutters. The printing company collapse in 1932 left unpaid equipment loans, supplier debts, and property taxes. In 1933, Samuel and Clara left Brookfield House after foreclosure proceedings began, moving to live with their eldest daughter.

Brookfield House was abandoned in 1934 after the printing company collapse, foreclosure, and accumulated debts ended the Hawthorne family’s ownership. No restoration occurred, and no Hawthorne relatives returned to occupy the property. Municipal records later recorded failed sales attempts and rising maintenance costs. Furniture, business papers, and personal belongings remained inside while weather damaged the sandstone walls, terracotta roof, and wooden details. Over decades, the yard became overgrown and the residence continued to decline. The Stick Style Victorian house remains empty in the neighborhood, deteriorating without restoration or a confirmed future owner.