History of Technology: Regional Technology Sites

A list with links to mechanical engineering sites, some of which are in the region.

Big Brutus is a 16 story tall electric shovel used for coal mining. The shovel can be toured in West Mineral, Kansas. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) designated Big Brutus a Regional Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark.

Billed as the "World's Largest Hand Dug Well". Digging for the well began in 1887 and construction took two years. The well supplied water to the town of Greensburg and the steam engines of the Kingman, Pratt, & Western rail line, a subsidiary of the Santa Fe.

Provided by ASCE, search for historic engineering landmarks by country, state, or type of structure.

Located in Wildcat Den State Perk, Muscatine Iowa. "... the Pine Creek Grist Mill ... was built in 1848 by Benjamin Nye, one of Muscatine County's first settlers... The Pine Creek Grist Mill is one of the finest examples of mid nineteenth century mills left in the country and is on the National Register of Historic Places."

Go on an underground tour of Minnesota's oldest iron ore mine. "Explore the dry house, drill shop, crusher house and engine house, and take the boardwalk past one of the deepest open mine pits."

"Visitors may tour the fully equipped 1860 woolen mill and gristmill, the Watkins 1850 Classic Revival style house, and a number of outbuildings. The Visitors Center and Museum features exhibits on the Watkins family, Watkins' Bethany farm, the woolen mill and the impact of industrialization on every day life in the 19th century."