Penfield Pond

Timothy Taft oversaw construction of the first dam at this site in 1828. The creek flowed north, then turned to the south to drop over a natural rock ledge. Taft constructed two earth berms that came together at an angle to divert the main flow of water eastward into a flume. The south face of the dam was faced with stone. The resulting pond covers over 100 acres, impounding water from a 18,500 acre watershed. The original dam held until a major flood washed it out in 1862. The cascade of water dropping eight miles down Putnam Creek did considerable damage to mills in each hamlet between here and Lake Champlain. In 1913, high waters again took out the eastern section of the dam, which drained the pond. In 1943 the break was repaired with earth only. A major restoration in 1977 restored the stone facing and the physical integrity of the dam, which withstood two major floods in 1996. This site was chosen specifically because of the proximity to water. Without electricity to run the machinery in the forge, the use of water power was a necessity. The Creek, which eventually empties into Lake Champlain, is said to have once turned 101 water wheels, furnishing power for many sawmills, gristmills, wood-working factories and a woolen mill that existed during the 70 year period of the Ironworks.

Crown Point, New York · United States