Knight Foundry
California State Historic Landmark 1007
03/01/96
#1007 Knight Foundry
Knight Foundry was established in 1873 to supply heavy equipment and repair
facilities to the gold mines and timber industry of the Mother Lode. Samuel N. Knight developed
a high speed, cast iron water wheel which was a forerunner of the Pelton wheel design. Knight
wheel were used in some of the first hydroelectric plants in California, Utah, and Oregon.
This site is the last water powered foundry and machine shop in California. A 42 inch Knight
wheel drives the main line shaft with smaller water motors powering other machines.
Nothing remains of this site.
81 Eureka St, Sutter Creek.
Return to other landmarks in Amador county.
Please note: I have no connection to any organizations mentioned on this site.
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Donald Laird