As time passed, owing to developments in technology and the decreasing popularity of the Corliss steam engine, Watts Campbell stopped producing steam engines. The electrification of industry and more efficient steam turbine generators rendered the Corliss steam engines obsolete. After the 1920s, the factory specialized in constructing and repairing specialty machines for local industries.
During the 1950s the factory underwent a restoration that demolished the historic facade and mansard slate roof, paved the dirt floor, and stuccoed the interior. Nonetheless, the interior has remained generally untouched for more than 150 years. The interior houses much machinery that dates from as early as the 1850s. The original wooden roof trusses, windows, and furnishing remain in place.[3]
Due to management's inability to upgrade equipment, the factory gradually lost customers due to aging and sometimes outdated machinery. Newark industry had gradually moved away, thereby decreasing Watts Campbell's ability to refurbish machinery. It had been in operation for almost 150 years before closing in 2007 due to dwindling numbers of customers. Watts Campbell was one of the last industrial revolution era factories in Newark to close. Currently, Watts Campbell has been repossessed by the City of Newark due to unpaid taxes. After Hurricane Sandy a large portion of the roof collapsed, exposing many of the historic machines to the elements. The factory is now largely unoccupied and in rapidly decaying condition. If not mitigated, the damaged roof is likely to worsen and possibly weaken the entire structure.[4]
Watts Campbell is unique for the integrity of its machinery and historical relevance. Nationally, very few factories have remained in the same place, with the same machinery, for over a hundred years. Watts Campbell is one of the last factories remaining in Newark. Almost all its industrial customers are gone, which included the Ballantine Brewery, Murphy Varnish, and Westinghouse. Watts Campbell has a unique, but threatened, collection of historic machinery (claimed to be worth over a million dollars by its current owner, Chad Watts).
Most of Watts Campbell's records belong to The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. The remaining, less valuable, files belong to former owner Chad Watts or are stored in the vacant factory's filing cabinets. Unfortunately, most of the actual machines sit rusted in the main assembly room or have been scrapped.
The Watts Campbell Company maintains files of old drawings, and patterns for its steam engines, as well of those of Hewes and Phillips Company which closed around 1912.
Restoring Watts Campbell to its former glory is complicated by many factors including:
- A dispute over property rights: the original factory has been divided, each half with a separate owner. Chad Watts subleased his property to John Sheahan when he was owner. But when the city of Newark foreclosed on the property for unpaid taxes, it did not evict the tenant.
- Decay: restoring the factory, although critical, will cost more if decay is not immediately stopped.
- Local politics: the city government lacks the financial means or interest to preserve Watts Campbell. Tourism could provide an impetus for restoration.[5]
See also National Register of Historic Places listings in Essex County, New Jersey.
