Miners Foundry facts for kids
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First Manufacturing Site of the Pelton Wheel
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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The foundry in 2025
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 Location in California
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| Location | 325 Spring Street Nevada City, California, USA |
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| Built | 1856 |
| Part of | Nevada City Downtown Historic District (ID85002520) |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Designated CP | September 23, 1985 |
The Miners Foundry is a historic building in Nevada City, California. It was built in 1856 and is famous for being the first place where the Pelton wheel was made. The Pelton wheel is a special type of water wheel that helps create power. Today, the Miners Foundry is a cultural center where many events take place.
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History of the Miners Foundry
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The story of the Miners Foundry began in 1855. A man named Edward Coker started a business called the Nevada Iron Foundry and Machine Shop. A foundry is a place where metal is melted and shaped. This shop also had a blacksmith area, where metal was hammered and formed.
The foundry was built to help the loggers and gold miners in the Sierra Nevada mountains. These workers needed strong tools and machine parts. In 1856, a big fire in Nevada City destroyed Coker's first small foundry. He then built a new, stronger building using local wood and stone.
In 1857, the Nevada Foundry built its first full steam engine. Soon after, Coker sold the business. Over the years, different owners took over. By 1859, William Heugh and David Thom were running the Nevada Iron and Brass Foundry. They were very busy, employing about 22 men by 1866. They even made a huge part for a quartz mill that weighed 5,600 pounds! This was one of the heaviest metal castings made in California at that time.
The Amazing Pelton Wheel
In 1867, George Grant Allan became a partner in the foundry. He later became the sole owner in 1876 and changed the name to George Allan's Foundry and Machine Works. This was a very important time for the foundry.
Around 1876, an inventor named Lester Allan Pelton came to Allan's foundry. Pelton had invented a new and improved water wheel. This wheel was much better at using the power of water to create energy. Pelton and Allan tested the new wheel at the foundry.
The Miners Foundry then became the first place to manufacture the Pelton wheel. It was so popular that the foundry couldn't make them fast enough! Because of the high demand, most Pelton wheel production moved to a larger factory in San Francisco. However, the Miners Foundry continued to make some Pelton wheels.
Later Years and New Products
After George Allan, his son Albert D. Allan took over the business. Later, in 1907, William H. Martin bought the foundry and renamed it Miners Foundry and Supply Co. Under new owners, the foundry started making different things. They began working with steel and built mining tools, equipment, and even vehicles like special ore cars. They also made non-mining vehicles.
In 1947, the company grew even more. They started selling welding supplies and other industrial products. They even had a new division that made a special centrifugal juicer!
Manufacturing at the Miners Foundry stopped in 1974. Two years earlier, in 1972, the building was bought by the American Victorian Museum. It was then turned into a non-profit cultural center. Today, about 50,000 people visit the Miners Foundry Cultural Center each year for various events.
A Special Landmark
The Miners Foundry building was used as a working foundry for over 110 years. It is now a California Historical Landmark. A special plaque was placed there in 1994 to honor its history, especially its connection to the Pelton wheel. Another marker was added in 1986 by the Nevada City Constitutional Commission and E Clampus Vitus.
The Miners Foundry Cultural Center is still a lively place. On July 29, 2011, the famous rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers even played a special show there! The Nevada City Winery, which was the first winery to open in Nevada County after Prohibition, is also located in the Miners Foundry Garage.
See also
