Terryville in Plymouth in Naugatuck Valley Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
The Eli Terry Jr. Water Wheel
Photographed by Michael Herrick, November 4, 2015
1. The Eli Terry Jr. Water Wheel Marker
The Eli Terry Jr. Water Wheel is believed to be one of only two water wheels of its type in the United States. Originally it supplied power to the Terry Clock Shop located on this property. In the early 1830's the manufacture of locks began. By 1845 over one half million locks were made in Terryville. The business employed 38 people. By 1854 the Eagle Lock Company had been formed. Eagle Lock would eventually employ 1800 people. The company ceased operation in 1975.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce.
Location. 41° 40.803′ N, 73° 0.92′ W. Marker is in Plymouth in Naugatuck Valley Region, Connecticut. It is in Terryville. It is at the intersection of Main Street (U.S. 6) and Benedict Street, on the right when traveling west on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 262 Main Street, Terryville CT 06786, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds 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 marker: Terryville Congregational Church Bell (approx. 0.2 miles away); Original Date Stone (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Old Terryville Cemetery (approx. Ό mile away); Plymouth Vietnam Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Plymouth Veterans Monument
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Regarding The Eli Terry Jr. Water Wheel. Eli Terry Jr. built this water wheel to power machinery in his fathers clock manufactory. Eli Terry Sr. was a renown clock maker, receiving the first U.S. patent for clockworks in 1801. In addition to making clocks, Eli Terry Jr. purchased lock making equipment. His factory became the Lewis Lock Company and later the Eagle Lock Company, which was Terryville's biggest employeer for over 100 years. The village of Terryville is named for Eli Terry Jr.
Also see . . . Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation, Terry Waterwheel. (Submitted on November 7, 2015, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
Photographed by Michael Herrick, November 4, 2015
2. The Eli Terry Jr. Water Wheel Marker
Photographed by Michael Herrick, November 4, 2015
3. The Eli Terry Jr. Water Wheel
Photographed by Michael Herrick, November 4, 2015
4. The Eli Terry Jr. Water Wheel next to the Pequabuck River
Photographed by Michael Herrick, November 4, 2015
5. The Eli Terry Jr. Water Wheel circa 1830
Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 7, 2015, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 1,635 times since then and 90 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 7, 2015, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.
