Springfield in Clark County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

James Leffel

1806 - 1866

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., March 5, 2010

1. James Leffel Marker

Inscription. Springfield's "first inventor", born in Virginia, brings a genius previously unparalleled in the history of our community. His passion for the use of the abundant water supply in the area accelerates Springfield into the early beginnings of the Industrial Revolution. Leffel's first invention, the "Buckeye stove", drastically improves upon the conventional oven of its day. But the construction of the then controversial 1½ mile long Mill Race, powering twelve factories on the city's north side near the Buck Creek, opens the door for his most well-known invention, the double turbine water wheel. The first industrial complex is the result of Leffel's combined efforts with the Barnett brothers using this innovative water wheel. Springfield prospers at the hand of James Leffel as he becomes the nation's leader in water turbine manufacturing.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 39° 56.206′ N, 83° 49.29′ W. Marker is in Springfield, Ohio, in Clark County. It

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

can be reached from West McCreight Avenue. Marker is in Section E of Ferncliff Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 501 West McCreight Avenue, Springfield OH 45504, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Dayton Metro

and in the Miami Valley.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: John Dick (within shouting distance of this marker); John Ludlow (within shouting distance of this marker); Union Soldiers Monument (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Oliver Smith Kelly (about 300 feet away); United States Colored Troops (about 400 feet away); Asa Smith Bushnell (about 400 feet away); Jeremiah Warder and Ann Aston Warder (about 500 feet away); Eliza D. Stewart (about 600

James Leffel image. Click for full size.

via Ohio History Central, unknown

2. James Leffel

feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Springfield.

Also see . . .
1. James Leffel. Prabook website entry (Submitted on June 21, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. James Leffel & Co. Vintage Machinery website entry (Submitted on June 21, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

3. The James Leffel & Company. Company website homepage (Submitted on March 25, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

4. The James Leffel & Company Manuscript Collection. Wright State University website entry (Submitted on March 25, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

James Leffel Marker and Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., March 5, 2010

3. James Leffel Marker and Monument

At upper left

James Leffel Grave Marker Inscription image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., March 5, 2010

4. James Leffel Grave Marker Inscription

Turbine on James Leffel Grave Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., March 5, 2010

5. Turbine on James Leffel Grave Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 11, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 25, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,554 times since then and 75 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 25, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 2. submitted on June 21, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 25, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.