East Canaan in North Canaan in Northwest Hills Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)

Turbine

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 20, 2026

1. Turbine Marker

Inscription.
Inside this stone wall lies the remains of the water turbine that provided the power for the air blast needed for the Beckley furnace. Part of the turbine is still present inside the cylindrical enclosure. The long pipe or penstock, was used to bring water from the dam to the turbine. The turbine shaft then drove the large crown gear that you see resting nearby. This gear, in turn, drove the blowing engine to produce the required airflow. Since Beckley was a hot blast furnace, the air passed through a preheating oven before being sent to the furnace stack itself.

The size and shape of the enclosure where the turbine is now suggest that it originally held a water wheel. The turbine must have been considered the latest in technology when it replaced the water wheel.

While water power was cheap and clean it had the drawback of being subject to shutdown of extreme drought. Winter weather and floods were also problems that had to be considered.

[Caption:]
This picture shows the remains of the water turbine that powered the air blowing equipment for Beckley furnace.

Erected by The State of Connecticut; The Town

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of North Canaan; The Friends of Beckley Furnace, Inc.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 42° 0.664′ N, 73° 17.488′ W. Marker is in North Canaan in Northwest Hills Region, Connecticut. It is in East Canaan. It is on Lower Road west of Furnace Hill Road, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 142 Lower Rd, East Canaan CT 06024, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Connecticut’s Berkshire Foothills

and in the Litchfield Hills.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in New England.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Litchfield County

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hydraulic turbine and blast pump (here, next to this marker); Leffel Turbine (within shouting

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 20, 2026

2. Turbine Marker

distance of this marker); What is This Place? (within shouting distance of this marker); Tuyere Arch (within shouting distance of this marker); Birth of an Industry (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Beckley Furnace Industrial Monument (about 300 feet away); Salamander (about 300 feet away); What Is This Place? (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in North Canaan.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 27, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 27, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 27, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.