It was on the banks of the Connecticut Naugatuck River in the early 1800's that anson Phelps developed a brass foundry. He named the town that grew around it "Ansonia". The Connecticut Clockmakers, some of which were Seth Thomas and Chauncy Jerome, became his major customers. Their success invited Mr. Phelps to begin his own clockmaking operation. Collectors today treasure these clocks bearing the "Ansonia Copper and Brass Company" label.

Clocks were not Mr. Phelps primary interest. In the year 1872 the Ansonia Clock Company was established in Brooklyn, New York and mr. phelps went West to Montana to found the Anaconda Copper and Brass mining interest.

The Ansonia Clock Company grew to become one of the largest, if not the largest, clock manufacturers in the USA at the turn of the century. It produced a wide variety of clocks which have endured through the years as dependable timepieces and treasured heirlooms.

Due to unwise investments, the debacle of the Depression brought with it the demise of this great company. The machinery was sold and moved to Russia in 1930 while the name rights remained in the USA. These rights were acquired by the Dale Nofziger family in 1969. As clockmakers, they determined to create clocks which would be deserving of a great name in clocks. With innovative integrity they have succeeded in establishing the name "ANSONIA" once again as a major source for fine clocks.