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New Bedford in Bristol County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
 

Lewis Temple

Blacksmith

— Inventor of the Iron Toggle Harpoon Tip —

 
 
Lewis Temple Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Dawn Bowen, July 9, 2007
1. Lewis Temple Marker
Inscription. Born in Richmond, Virginia, in 1800, Lewis Temple established himself as a blacksmith on the New Bedford waterfront by 1836.

Temple manufactured his first toggle-iron in 1848. Its fastening power revolutionized the catching of whales. The invention was never patented, therefore the only royalty was the name that clung to it.

He died in New Bedford in 1854. Millions were made in the whaling industry because of Temple’s toggles. After business debts were cleared, there was no legacy left for his family.
 
Erected 1987.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: AnimalsIndustry & CommerceWaterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1800.
 
Location. 41° 38.097′ N, 70° 55.624′ W. Marker is in New Bedford, Massachusetts, in Bristol County. Marker is on Pleasant Street, on the left when traveling north. It is on New Bedford Public Library grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 613 Pleasant Street, New Bedford MA 02740, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Trading Places (here, next to this marker); Whaleman’s Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Frederick Douglass (within shouting distance of this marker); Captain Paul Cuffe's Atlantic World
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(about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Heroes of Fort Wagner (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Bedford.
 
Monument on the library grounds image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Dawn Bowen, July 9, 2007
2. Monument on the library grounds
Lewis Temple Monument image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Dawn Bowen, July 9, 2007
3. Lewis Temple Monument
Bronze by Jim Toatley (1941–1986). Sculpture is approx. 6 feet high on a 6 foot base.
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on November 22, 2019. It was originally submitted on July 11, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 4,275 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3. submitted on July 11, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.

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Mar. 19, 2024