Connecticut Water Trails Program

History Of Connecticut's Water Trails

History of Mills In Connecticut

Plymouth Mills

Terryville Mill

In Terryville, the landmark Eli Terry Jr. Water Wheel was used to operate machinery at one of America’s first lock factories, Lewis Lock Company, in the early 1850’s. It is the only known original manufacturing water wheel left in the country.

The Terryville Waterwheel is a composite iron and wooden industrial prime mover dating from 1830. It has significance as an object that evokes Connecticut's early years of industrialization, as a rare survivor of a once-common type of construction, and as an artifact that preserves important information for the history of technology.

Once upon a time, lock manufacturers prospered in Terryville. Connecticut was the center of lock making.

Lewis Lock Company

The Lewis Lock Company was the forerunner of the Eagle Lock Company.

Eagle Lock Company

The 1830's here saw the beginning of lock making, which became a major enterprise with the formation of the Eagle Lock Company in 1854.

In 1854, Eli Terry, Jr. formed the Eagle Lock Company. It became a major enterprise and the main industry of Terryville, CT. In the late 1800's two dams were constructed to hold water from the Pequabuck River to help provide power for the lock factory. Eagle Locks eventually enjoyed a worldwide reputation and employed 1800 persons at its peak. At one time, Eagle was the largest trunk and cabinet lock maker in the world. The corporation closed in 1954. The Eagle Lock Company was active until it closed in 1975.

Please Send Feedback To Connecticut Water Trails Association

© 2011 Connecticut Water Trails Association