Water Wheel and Header Tank
The water wheel and header tank demonstrate how early 20th
century technology was adapted to technology
that dated from the Colonial Era (1700s).
PICTURE OF
WHEEL HERE
The water wheel is a steel water wheel manufactured by the Fitz
Water Wheel Company. It is 16’4” in diameter,
has 48 buckets, and weighs an estimated 3000
pounds.
The water wheel and header tank (forebay), as well as the pipe
were installed sometime between 1905 and 1909 by
owner Allen H. Simmers. They replaced a wooden
water wheel and sluiceway.
Instead of replacing the original power train at that time, the
Fitz Water Wheel Company fashioned a
square-shaped, cast iron yoke to fit the pit
gear.
The water wheel shaft passes through the wall to the other side
to power the gearing.
The water wheel was restored in 2002. The shaft and spokes are
original. The rims and buckets have been
replaced. The Header Tank was replicated based
on the original.
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