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

Birthplace of the Electrical Age

Ironville

Photographed by Grace Corpuz, September 6, 2009

1. Ironville - Birthplace of the Electrical Age Marker

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

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

Erected 1959 by Descendants of Penfield and Harwood.

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

Location. Marker has been reported permanently removed. It was located near 43° 55.351′ N, 73° 32.152′ W. Marker was in Crown Point, New York, in Essex County. It was in Ironville. It was at the intersection of Penfield (Whitehead) Road and Creek Road (County Road 2), on the right when traveling north on Penfield (Whitehead) Road. Located on the grounds of the Penfield Homestead Museum. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 703 Creek Rd, Crown Point NY 12928, United States of America.

We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

Regionally, this marker was in Upstate New York,

in the Adirondacks & North Country,

and in the Champlain Valley.

It was also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it was in North America,

the Great North Woods,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

New Netherland,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Penfield Homestead Museum

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(a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Penfield Homestead Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Birthplace of the Electrical Age (within shouting distance of this marker); Penfield Pond (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Walking Tour (within shouting distance of this marker); Ironville Historic District (within shouting distance of this marker); The Sons of Temperance Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Irondale (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line).

Also see . . .
1. Penfield Homestead Museum. (Submitted on February 14, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
2. Thomas Davenport. Inventor of the electric motor. (Submitted on February 14, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)

Additional keywords. Capt. James Penfield, 5th NY Cavalry.

Photographed by Grace Corpuz, September 6, 2009

2. Ironville - Birthplace of the Electrical Age Marker

View of the Penfield Homestead Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, April 10, 2022

3. View of the Penfield Homestead Museum

The corner of Creek Road and Whitehead Road

The Penfield Homestead. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, May 10, 2022

4. The Penfield Homestead.

From the corner of Whitehead Road and Creek Road

Credits. This page was last revised on January 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 14, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,047 times since then and 49 times this year. Last updated on April 21, 2022, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 14, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 3, 4. submitted on April 21, 2022, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.