Hendy Ironworks Lamppost and Stamp Mill
This cast iron lamppost and the nearby Hendy Stamp Mill are rare surviving features of the Joshua Hendy Iron Works, the massive foundry that once defined Sunnyvale's industrial skyline. Together, they symbolize the city's transformation in the early 1900s from orchards to industry and reflect the scale and ingenuity of the machinery that fueled California's gold mining and wartime production.
History
- The Hendy Ironworks Lamppost and Stamp Mill are enduring artifacts from the industrial era that propelled Sunnyvale onto the national stage.
- Installed in the early 20th century, the lamppost illuminated the Hendy Iron Works facility—a site that once housed the largest foundry west of the Mississippi.
- The Hendy Stamp Mill is a massive ore-crushing machine originally designed for the hydraulic mining boom of the late 19th century, built by the Joshua Hendy Iron Works.
- Hendy's relocation to Sunnyvale in 1906—after the San Francisco earthquake—marked a pivotal economic shift for the region, later producing marine propulsion equipment used in naval ships during both World Wars.
Significance
- These relics connect Sunnyvale to major chapters of California's industrial, military, and mining heritage.
- The lamppost underscores the modernization of Sunnyvale's infrastructure as the city evolved from a rural farming community into a manufacturing powerhouse.
- The stamp mill exemplifies robust industrial engineering, showcasing the factory's specialization in heavy mining equipment.
- Together they represent Sunnyvale's transformation into a 'Critical Defense Area' during wartime production.
Quick Facts
Address:
8 Oak Court / 250 N Sunnyvale Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Established:
1906
Category:
industrial