Water Power at Speedwell
Powering the Factory
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
Marker can be reached from Speedwell Avenue (U.S. 202), on the right when traveling north.
Courtesy hmdb.org
