Speedwell Ironworks facts for kids
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The Factory, Speedwell Village
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The Factory House, birthplace of the Morse electric telegraph, pictured in 2006
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 Location in Morris County, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Location | 333 Speedwell Avenue, Morristown, New Jersey |
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| Built | 1837 |
| NRHP reference No. | 74001186 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | September 13, 1974 |
| Designated NHL | May 30, 1974 |
Speedwell Ironworks was a very important factory in Morristown, New Jersey. It was a place where metal was shaped and made into useful things. This historic site is famous for two big reasons. First, it's where the electric telegraph was first shown to the public. This invention changed how people communicated forever! Second, Speedwell Ironworks made parts for the SS Savannah. This was the first steamship to ever cross the huge Atlantic Ocean.
Today, you can visit this amazing place, now called Historic Speedwell. It's a special park with old buildings that show what life was like long ago. It became a National Historic Landmark in 1974 because of its important history.
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Speedwell Ironworks: A Place of Big Ideas
Speedwell Ironworks was built near the Whippany River. The river's water power helped run the machines. Before the main ironworks, smaller metal factories were already there. Stephen Vail became the full owner in 1815. He made the factory much bigger. They built many different kinds of machines for farms and other industries.
One cool invention from Speedwell was the first strong iron tire for railroad locomotives. This happened in 1836. But over time, things changed. New factories opened, and the river didn't have as much water. So, the ironworks closed down in 1873. Its machines were sold to other factories far away. The old buildings later burned down in 1908. Now, the area is a public park.
Stephen Vail also bought more land next to the factory. He moved there in 1844 when he retired. This area is now called Historic Speedwell. It's like an outdoor museum that shows what a 19th-century estate looked like. You can see old houses, a building for storing grain, and carriage houses. When you visit, you can learn about old metalworking and how communication changed over time.
The Birth of the Telegraph
The old factory building at Speedwell Ironworks was used for a very special event. On January 11, 1838, the first public demonstration of the Morse electromagnetic telegraph happened here! Samuel Morse and Alfred Vail had worked hard on this invention. They chose this factory building to show it off.
The telegraph could only send messages about two miles (3 km) at first. So, the inventors stretched two miles of wires inside the factory building for the demonstration. Many local people came to watch this amazing new way to send messages. It was a huge step forward for communication!
Speedwell's Role in Steamships
Speedwell Ironworks also played a big part in travel. They built most of the machinery for the SS Savannah. This ship was super important because it was the first steamship to ever cross the Atlantic Ocean! Imagine a ship powered by steam, making that long journey across the sea. Speedwell Ironworks helped make that possible.
Visiting Historic Speedwell Today
Today, Historic Speedwell is a public park and museum. The Morris County Park Commission takes care of it. There are nine buildings that show what life was like in the early 1800s.
- The Vail House is a historic home. It looks just like it did in the 1840s. It even has some of the original family furniture!
- The Wheel House has a huge 24-foot (7.3 m) waterwheel that still works.
- The Homestead Carriage House has exhibits about the SS Savannah and the history of the ironworks.
- Other buildings like the Ford Cottage and the Moses Estey House show different styles of homes from that time.
- In the factory buildings, you can see old tools and learn about how metal was worked. You can also explore the history of communication.
Speedwell Village was named a National Historic Landmark in 1974. This was to protect its seven important buildings. It also recognized the big role the Vail family and the factory played in creating the telegraph.
See also
