History & Heritage

At the onset of the Revolutionary War, George Washington and Continental Congress reviewed the state of the military. The American Colonies had gone to war with almost no cannon against the full force of the mightiest army and navy on earth. Maintaining the most disciplined and well-equipped military, the British were poised to destroy the fledging nation's goal of independence until Congress learned of a place called Factory Village (Lakeville), home to the gigantic pile of ore, Ore Hill, and the mighty blast furnace, Salisbury Furnace, developed by the patriots, Ethan Allen, Samuel Forbes, and partners. Eight-hundred cannons were cast during seven years of the War. Without the ingredient called Salisbury Cannon, Washington and his army would have been outgunned and overrun. The Iron Country's greatest gift to the nation was the ability to achieve a cannon-backed victory.

You can find out more about this important heritage by visiting Salisbury Cannon Museum, 15 Millerton Road, Lakeville, CT 06039.  Phone: (860) 435-0566.

Rebuilt Beckley Iron blast furance in East Canaan, CT.
Originally built around 1847 to provide pig iron for industries in the area.