Built in Nevada County in 1856, it is a California Historical Landmark as, in 1879, the foundry became the first manufacturing site of the Pelton wheel.

[3] The ironworks foundry and blacksmith shop was situated in a rented building on Spring Street behind the National Exchange Hotel.

Nevada City's fire of July 1856 destroyed the small foundry operated by Coker.

[5] But before the new building was completed, Coker lost interest in the business and sold the machinery to David Thom, Thomas J. Williams and J. Jones.

It built mining tools, equipment, and vehicles, such as the side-dump ore car, ball mill, and scoop feed.

A new division began selling welding supplies, legging supplies, rubber products, and Bethlehem Steel wire rope while another division began producing a centrifugal juicer[15] Ray Amick owned the foundry from 1965 until 1974 when manufacturing in the foundry ended.

1012, and dated May 11, 1994, was added to the site in honor of the Pelton wheel's history associated with the foundry.

[17] On July 29, 2011, rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers played an invitation-only show at the Miners Foundry Cultural Center.