Eastern's Waterwheel Turns 100

Eastern University is celebrating the 100th Birthday of its historic waterwheel.

The wheel was recently restored through gifts from students, alumni, faculty, staff and friends. The restoration was completed by Danny Caprioli, Jr. of Paoli.

A birthday celebration (complete with a cake made in the shape of the waterwheel) will be held around the waterwheel on Oct. 13 from 1 to 1:45 p.m.

The historic log cabin that stood next to the waterwheel and that Eastern demolished in 2009 would have turned 100 this year, too. Both were the first buildings on the property; the main mansion house was not built until a year later, notes Greg Prichard of the Radnor Historical Society.

History of the waterwheel

• Built in 1912 as part of the Walton Estate, home of Charles S. Walton.
• 1918 A silent movie called Oh, Johnny! was filmed on the Walmarthon Estate (now Eastern University). The waterwheel is among the still recognizable landmarks seen in the film.
• The waterwheel was used to irrigate flower beds and power fountains on Walton Estate.
• One of few working waterwheels in the country.
• It is on the National Registry of Historic Waterwheels.
• It was repaired in 1972.
• Lights were put on the waterwheel to illuminate it in honor of the late Business professor and alum, Bob Thomas ‘73, who died in 2007.  Bob had lived on the estate for most of his childhood.
• Waterwheel was restored in 2011 using the same company who restored the Waterwheel in 1972. The monies raised for this project were donated through generous gifts from students, alumni, faculty, staff and friends of Eastern University.
• Restoration of the waterwheel roof tiles and wooden door were also completed in 2011. 

Read a blog entry on the waterwheel.