Knight Foundry

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Knight Foundry is a cast iron foundry and machine shop in Sutter Creek, California. It was established in 1873 to supply heavy equipment and repair facilities to the gold mines and timber industry of the Mother Lode. Samuel N. Knight developed a high speed, cast iron water wheel which was a forerunner of the Pelton wheel design. Knight Wheels were used in some of the first hydroelectric plants in California, Utah, and Oregon. This site is the last water-powered foundry and machine shop in California. A 42-inch Knight Wheel drives the main line shaft, with smaller water motors powering other machines.

The foundry is registered as California Historical Landmark #1007 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NPS-75000423). It is also designated a Mechanical Engineering Historic Site by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).