The Historic Village at Allaire

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At the height of production at the Howell Works Company there were approximately 500 employees, about 200 of which were residents of the Village. Not only were there families living in the Village but also about 50 singles men housed in the dormitory, the Allaire Family and about one dozen or so school children boarding at the site, one of which was a son of Cornelius Vanderbilt. This many people necessitated ways to provide for their basic needs including food and James Allaire recognized this.

Although it is uncertain when Allaire began raising herds of cattle, we do know form letters to his second wife Calicia and from the writings of their son Hal, James Allaire did in fact own several prize herds. These herds were raised on local farms then driven to the Howell Works property were they were led to the Slaughter House. After the slaughter the meat was taken to the Butcher Shop in the basement of the Company Store where it was sold to the workers and local community.

Aside from Allaire's own herds, the Slaughter House would have served the local farming community as well, the local growers bringing their own animals in for trade or sale, or to be slaughtered for a nominal fee. Killing season was generally in the late Autumn, after the first frost and during a cold snap. Farmers would slaughter enough livestock to feed their families over the winter months and the preparation would being. This included making of sausages, smoking, salting and otherwise curing the meats. In days when there was no refrigeration, it was important that the weather stayed cold long enough to prepare the meat without its spoiling. Smaller animals and fowl, which could be consumed in one meal, such as rabbits and chickens would be slaughtered as needed.

Today, only the foundation of the Slaughter House stands, made from bricks produced at the Howell Works Company. Archaeological excavations at the site have turned up several instruments used by the butchers in the Slaughter house as well as many animal bones.