Saugus in Essex County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

Iron Works

1630-1930

Photographed by Russell C. Bixby, October 9, 2011

1. Iron Works Marker

Marker was previously located outdoors.

Inscription. "The Company of Undertakers for the Iron Works," consisting of English gentlemen and colonists, erected a furnace on this site in 1643. Joseph Jenks, their employe, built a forge here in 1647, invented the modern type of scythe, and built Boston's first fire engine.

Erected 1930 by Massachusetts Bay Colony-Tercentenary Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Massachusetts Bay Colony—Tercentenary Commission Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1643.

Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 42° 28.121′ N, 71° 0.547′ W. Marker was in Saugus, Massachusetts, in Essex County. It was on Central Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Saugus MA 01906, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was on Massachusetts’ North Shore,

in Greater Boston,

and in the Merrimack Valley.

It was also in the

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American Northeast

and in New England.

Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Making Iron (within shouting distance of this marker); The Casting House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); River Basin Terminus (about 400 feet away); The Forge (about 400 feet away); Blacksmith Shop (about 600 feet away); Appleton's Pulpit (approx. 0.2 miles away); Saugus Vietnam Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Saugus Korea/Vietnam Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Saugus.

More about this marker. Marker is located in the museum of the National Park Service, Saugus Iron Works, National Historic Site.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.

Also see . . .
1. Saugus Iron Works, National Historic Site.

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, July 1, 2015

2. Iron Works Marker

The marker is in the audiovisual/presentation room at the Saugus Iron Works Museum (to the far left in the photo).

European iron makers brought their special skills to the Massachusetts Bay Colony early in the settlement of New England. Three hundred year old artifacts, working waterwheels, and mill machinery helps to tell the story of a business failure destined to be a National Park. (Submitted on October 12, 2011, by Russell Chaffee Bixby of Bernardston, Massachusetts.)

2. Historical Markers Erected by Massachusetts Bay Colony Tercentenary Commission (1930). Original 1930 publication by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts of Tercentenary Commission Markers, commemorating the three hundredth anniversary of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. (Submitted on October 12, 2011, by Russell Chaffee Bixby of Bernardston, Massachusetts.)

3. Explore the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site.

In the 1600's, on the banks of the Saugus River, something extraordinary happened -- the birth of the American Iron and Steel Industry! Explore the place where European iron makers brought their special skills to a young Massachusetts colony. Saugus Iron Works is a twelve-acre National Historic Site that includes working waterwheels, forges, mills,
Photographed by Russell C. Bixby, October 9, 2011

3. Saugus Iron Works-National Park Service-National Historic Site
a historic 17th century home, and a lush river basin. Learn about this National Historic Site with Supervisory Park Ranger Andrew Donovan.

(Submitted on May 5, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)

National Park Service Exhibition Building & Museum-Saugus Iron Works-National Historic Site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Russell C. Bixby, October 9, 2011

4. National Park Service Exhibition Building & Museum-Saugus Iron Works-National Historic Site

Earlier Iron Works Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, July 1, 2015

5. Earlier Iron Works Marker

This earlier marker is also on display in the audiovisual/presentation room at the Saugus Iron Works Museum. It reads: The First Iron Works.
The first successful iron works in the country established here. Foundry erected in 1634. Joseph Jenks built a forge here in 1647. And in 1652 made the dies for the first silver money coined in New England. In 1654 he made the first fire engine in America. Erected by Lynn Historical Society 1898.

Saugus Slitting Mill and Forge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, August 1, 2025

6. Saugus Slitting Mill and Forge

Slitting Mill in Foreground, Forge in Background

Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, August 18, 2025

7. Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site

Staffed by National Park Service

Credits. This page was last revised on May 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 12, 2011, by Russell Chaffee Bixby of Bernardston, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 1,639 times since then and 50 times this year. Last updated on August 18, 2025, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. Photos: 1. submitted on October 12, 2011, by Russell Chaffee Bixby of Bernardston, Massachusetts. 2. submitted on July 26, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. 3, 4. submitted on October 12, 2011, by Russell Chaffee Bixby of Bernardston, Massachusetts. 5. submitted on July 26, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. 6, 7. submitted on August 18, 2025, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.