Morristown in Morris County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Water Power at Speedwell

Powering the Factory

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 5, 2010

1. Water Power at Speedwell Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Originally water for the Factory waterwheel was supplied from the Upper Pond, or reservoir, which was located beyond the housing development behind you. When the wheel was installed, the water from the pond was piped under ground to the standpipe. The elevation where the water entered the pipe was higher than the top of the standpipe. Water rose in the standpipe via gravity to seek its level.

“All day with men putting out pipes to face of reservoir on the hill ”
- Stephen Vail, October 12, 1849

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1861.

Location. 40° 48.893′ N, 74° 28.82′ W. Marker is in Morristown, New Jersey, in Morris County. Marker can be reached from Speedwell Avenue (U.S. 202), on the right when traveling north. Marker is located at Historic Speedwell. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 333 Speedwell Avenue, Morristown NJ 07960, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 1849 Carriage House (within shouting distance of this marker); L’Hommedieu House (within shouting distance

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of this marker); Homestead Carriage House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Granary (within shouting distance of this marker); Moses Estey House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Homestead Farm (within shouting distance of this marker); Vail House (within shouting distance of this marker); Wheel House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Morristown.

More about this marker. A picture of the Wheel House appears on the lower right of the marker. The lower left contains a diagram of the Overshot Waterwheel, indicating the upper pond, penstock, standpipe, waterwheel, tail race and Factory Wheel House. Above this is a map of Historic Speedwell showing the upper pond and how it feeds the Factory & Wheel House via the raceway and tailrace.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Take a tour of the markers found at Historic Speedwell.

Also see . . . Historic Speedwell - "Birthplace of the Telegraph". Morris County Park Commission website entry (Submitted on July 11, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

Marker at Historic Speedwell image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 5, 2010

2. Marker at Historic Speedwell

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 5, 2010

3. Water Power at Speedwell Marker

The Water Power at Speedwell marker is seen here in front of the Homestead Carriage House.

Wheel House and Factory image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 5, 2010

4. Wheel House and Factory

The factory where the wheel house is located can be seen in this photo. The black standpipe is visible on the left side of the structure.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 11, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 551 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 11, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.