Green Park (next to the lower falls in Brandon Village)

Water powered Brandon’s earliest industrial efforts. The foundations of the town’s earliest mills are still visible directly at Brandon's Lower Falls, directly across the Neshobe River from Green Park. Later, this was the site of Brandon’s iron foundry and the heart of local iron-goods manufacturing. Brandon’s iron stoves were very well known. Across the street, the present Town Office was the manufacturing company’s headquarters.

Upper Falls

The picturesque upper falls are formed by a marble dam that powered the town’s lumber mill. An early 20^th century lumber mill is still perched above the falls.

The Iron Furnace (Located in Forest Dale)

Forest Dale’s large iron furnace (built in 1824) is a remarkable piece of early industrial archeology. Local deposits of iron ore fueled Brandon’s iron manufacturing industries all through the first half of the 19^th century. At the same time, Forest Dale was also a major paint manufacturing center.

Directions: Head east from the Civil War monument on Park St. Turn left on Rt. 73 (Marble St.). In Forest Dale, shortly after you pass Rt. 53 (North St.) turn left down Furnace Rd. A short distance in, just before the road curves to the left, there are two small pulloffs on the right. Use the second one. Park there and walk on the path 100 yards to the furnace on the right.

Thomas Davenport Home (2115 Forest Dale Rd. (Rt. 73)

Brandon blacksmith Thomas Davenport (1802-1851) invented the electric motor at this site in 1834. It was one of the major breakthroughs in the history of manufacturing – but he never made a cent from it! A monument to Davenport and his achievement sits modestly in the driveway of his former home.