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Knight Foundry is the last water-powered foundry and machine shop in the United States. Established in 1873 by Samuel Knight, the foundry was built to supply heavy equipment and repair services to the gold mines and timber industry of California’s Mother Lode region. Samuel Knight, who came west from Maine in 1863, developed a high-speed cast iron impulse water turbine that was a forerunner of the Pelton wheel design. Knight Wheels powered some of the first hydroelectric plants in California, Utah, and Oregon.
The foundry operated continuously for 123 years, from 1873 until 1996. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, designated a California Historical Landmark, and recognized as a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. The National Trust for Historic Preservation named it one of America’s eleven most endangered historic places. In 2016, the buildings and land were donated to the City of Sutter Creek.
Knight Foundry holds Open Saturdays on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of every month, year-round. Doors open at 10 AM, with tickets sold at the door — no reservations necessary. Admission is $15 for adults (18+), $5 for students ages 5—17, and free for children under 5 and Knight Foundry Alliance members. Visitors can tour at their own pace, meeting expert docents stationed throughout the complex. Private tours for individuals, groups, and school field trips can be arranged by contacting the foundry directly.
Events at Knight Foundry.