KNIGHT FOUNDRY … PRESERVING OUR HISTORY
Sutter Creek’s Historic, Industrial Crown Jewel. The Knight Foundry, set in the heart of Sutter Creek, California, is America’s last water-powered foundry and machine shop. Established in 1873 by Samuel Knight, this extraordinary facility includes the unique historic equipment and machinery, still in place in its original context, just as it was during its Gold Rush-era heyday.
Knight Foundry is nationally recognized as a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark and a California Registered Historical Landmark. The Foundry is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was named by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of America’s eleven most endangered historic places.
Amador’s Heritage
As a part of Amador County’s industrial heritage corridor, the Knight Foundry will join the Kennedy Mine, Kennedy Tailing Wheels, Central Eureka Mine, and Miners’ Bend Park to tell the story of how local industry created, and then contributed to, the viability of the Mother Lode communities of Sutter Creek, Amador City, Jackson, and others. The Foundry will serve as an educational resource that provides a unique window into Amador’s history and heritage.
A Unique Educational Facility
The Knight Foundry is a premier relic of Mother Lode gold mining history. From precision equipment for our hard-rock gold mines, to the lights of San Francisco, to the impulse turbine systems that powered many of the state’s hydroelectric plants, the Foundry literally helped to build California. When restoration is completed, this unique facility will allow partnership opportunities for high schools, colleges, and universities to provide hands-on training to engineering, museum studies, and history students, and will be a center for teaching crafts and skills that are in danger of dying out.
A National Mechanical Engineering Monument
The Knight Foundry is the last water-powered foundry and machine shop in America, and one of the nation’s best preserved 19th-century industrial complexes. The preservation and restoration of the Knight Foundry provides an unparalleled opportunity to protect the history of industrial technologies as they were traditionally implemented, and to pass them on to future generations.
Compliments on what you have all done to bring the Foundry back to life. It’s a history of technology treasure.
— Bill, November 2023
The part of history you bring back to life for the public to see and enjoy is a noble undertaking.
— Mike, April 2024
Every tour guide seemed informed, interested, and committed to making our visit worthwhile.
— Vicki, November 2023
My wife and I are regular visitors to Sutter Creek. We’ve actually never visited Sutter Creek without visiting the Foundry and Gift Shop.
— James, October 2023
What a great thing this is!
— Lisa, March 2022
Planning to visit the Knight Foundry? You can take home a remembrance from the KF Gift Shop!
Or you can order online through our website gift shop.
EXPERIENCE THE KNIGHT FOUNDRY
Knight Foundry in Sutter Creek is America’s last water-powered foundry and machine shop and a premier relic of Mother Lode gold mining history. Join us for our Demonstration Day on the 2nd Saturday of every month, or the Self-Guided Walking Tour on the 4th Saturday.
Every month on Demonstration Day we fire up the antique blacksmithing forge, demonstrate the magnificent and still-intact machinery, and show visitors the ancient art of sand casting. You can tour at your own pace, meeting and talking with expert docents throughout the complex. All demonstrations are included in the ticket price.
Our new Self-Guided Walking Tour on the 4th Saturday of every month is an innovative, interactive new way to see the Foundry. As on Demonstration Days, docents will be on hand to run the machinery and talk with you during your visit.
- No reservations are needed for either tour day.
- Knight Foundry opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 3 p.m. on the 2nd Saturday and at 2 p.m. on the 4th Saturday.
- Admission is $15 for adults 18 and older, $5 for students age 5-17, free for children under 5 and Knight Foundry Alliance members.
Discover the compelling history that is historic Knight Foundry!
2024 Scheduled Open Dates
September 14 & 28, October 12 & 26, November 9 & 23, December 14 & 28
Private Tours
If your family, group, or organization would like to arrange a private tour of Knight Foundry:
- Please submit the Contact Us form
- Email info@knightfoundry.com
- Or phone 209-560-6160
Can’t make it to the Foundry? Visit our online Gift Shop.
See you at the Foundry! 81 Eureka Street, Sutter Creek, California 95685
Meet the Knight Foundry Alliance Founding Board of Directors
Frank Cunha, Carma Zisman, Robin Peters, Josie Cadieux-Faillers, Ed Arata, Mimi Arata, Ronald Edgar, and Joe Harralson