Ironville in Essex County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Birthplace of the Electrical Age

Ironville

Photographed By Steve Stoessel, April 10, 2022

1. The Birthplace of the Electrical Age Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Allen Penfield, Timothy Taft, and Allen P. Harwood pioneered the first industrial use of electricty in their iron works below the pond south of this marker. Thomas Davenport, the blacksmith of Brandon, Vermont, in 1833 bought the electro-magnet used in their forge, which led to his invention of the electric motor.

This marker is presented by descendants of Penfield and Harwood, Ruth Harwood Shattuck and Ann Harwood Orbison.

Erected 1959 by Ruth Harwood Shattuck and Ann Harwood Orbison.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1833.

Location. 43° 55.336′ N, 73° 32.201′ W. Marker is in Ironville, New York, in Essex County. Marker is on Creek Road (County Route 2) 0.1 miles west of Whitehead Road, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Crown Point NY 12928, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Ironville Historic District (here, next to this marker); The Sons of Temperance Hall (here, next to this marker); Penfield Homestead Museum

Photographed By Steve Stoessel, April 10, 2022

2. The Birthplace of the Electrical Age Marker

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Walking Tour (within shouting distance of this marker); Irondale (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Penfield Homestead Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); Penfield Pond (within shouting distance of this marker); 1873 Expansion (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ironville.

Also see . . . Thomas Davenport (inventor) (Wikipedia). (Submitted on April 25, 2022, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 25, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 21, 2022, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. This page has been viewed 73 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 21, 2022, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.