Speedwell Iron Works

The Speedwell Iron Works were founded by Stephen Vail (the father of George Vail)in 1807. Stephen was an enterprising blacksmith who transformed his small company that made nails into one of the most innovative producers of mechanical equipment of the day.

Speedwell didn't just manufacture iron products, they invented new equipment In 1835, Stephen developed a durable iron tire for railroad locomotives. This innovation paved the way for the growth the railroad industry in America.

Through the 1830s, as the business prospered at Speedwell, Stephen expanded the ironworks and developed an industrial village. By the 1850s, Speedwell was a well-established and successful manufacturing enterprise employing 45 skilled laborers.
However, by the 1870s, the New Jersey iron industry began to decline as the industry moved westward towards new sources of fuel and raw materials. The Speedwell Iron Works closed in 1873, and three years later the equipment was sold to ironworks in Coatbridge, Scotland and Brooklyn, New York.

You can visit Historic Speedwell Village right here in Morristown! Learn more about this unique historic site at: http://www.morrisparks.net/speedwell/home.html