Welcome to Armstrong County Old Stone Furnaces

Allegheny
American
Bear Creek
Biddle
Bonner 		Brady's Bend
Buffalo
Colwell
Cowanshannock
Great Western Iron Works 		Mahoning
Mc Crea
Monticello
"Old" Redbank
Olney 		Ore Hill
Phoenix
Pine
Rock
Stewardson
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ARMSTRONG COUNTY

in West Central PENNSYLVANIA
at one time had as many as fifteen old Cut Stone Iron Furnaces. We have found and photographed the sites of twelve and have GPS readings on all but American. All of the others are no longer visible. Most furnaces in Armstrong County are in a very bad state of deterioration. Biddle offers a very scenic approach with waterfalls and rapids. Monticello has a nice retaining wall below the highway, and Mahoning has a great stone lined charging bench. Brady's Bend has two large furnaces but they are behind a chain link fence in very heavy vegetation. Pine has a nice charging bench and McCrea and Stewardson are good sites to visit. American is a newly re-discovered site that deserves further follow up.

American Furnace
American Furnace Site
Iron Furnace
Biddle (Rock) Furnace
Allegheny - Was built in 1827 along the west bank of the Allegheny River above Kittanning in Franklin Township. It was owned in 1832 by A. McNickle and produced 14-15 tons of pig iron a week(s&t). No trace of this furnace remains except charcoal slag on the bench above.
Go west from Kittanning to the west end of the bridge over the river. Turn north on SR4023 for 2.5 miles. Just past a junk yard on the left side of the road Furnace Run Road (T505?) turns to the left, crosses the railroad track, turns south then swings around the end of a hill and continues northwest. The furnace site was in the loop formed by the road.
Coordinates 40º 50.74'N - 79º 31.86'W. to top
 American - Is along a creek entering the Allegheny River in Madison Township, just above the towm of Rimer. It was built in 1846 by Aaron Whittaker, John Jamison, and George Ledlie. Originally a hot blast charcoal furnace it was changed in 1858 to use coke. It went out of blast in 1860.(s&t), Two walls and a pit are partially standing, and it appears that there may be furnace stones in the creek and in a dam built downstream from the walls. Old roads exist which may have been to transport material to or product from the site. A narrower stone lined lower road may have been the millrace for the furnace. The site needs further investigation.(jm/rp)
Starting at Templeton, follow SR1003 north through Mahoning to Widnoon, a distance of 4.1 miles.Turn left on SR1004 and follow it for about 3.3 miles. Going downhill toward Rimer, the road crosses a concrete bridge over a creek that parallels the road.(rp) One half mile beyond this bridge, look to the right and you will see one of the walls across the creek while standing on SR1004(jm). This, newly rediscovered, site needs to be visited to comfirm the above findings.
Approximate coordinates 40º 56.456'N - 79º 31.333'W. to top
Bear Creek - Was built in 1818 along Bear Creek in Perry Township south of Parker by William Stackpole and Ruggles Whitney. It was the first furnace built in Armstrong County. The builders failed before the furnace was completed and Baldwin, Robinson, McNickle and Beltzhoover finished it. It was intended for coke but the blast was too weak and the furnace chilled after 2 or 3 tons of iron were produced . The use of charcoal solved the problem. Raw bituminous coal was also tried. The furnace produced as much as 40 tons of pig iron a week, which was unusual at that time. In 1832 it was the largest furnace in the United States. The furnace went out of blast prior to 1850. A tramway with wooden rails took the iron to the river for shipment to Pittsburgh. Its course can be followed in places(s&t).
(P)(V)(rp-1977-2005.)
In Parker, turn south on Jackson Avenue, at the First Presbyterian Church. Continue south on this street, which becomes gravel, down to near the creek. You will note a gated road to the left which was the old railroad right of way. Park here. Walk to the left and toward the hillside about 50 feet. Look down over the embankment, and about 50 feet down the hill you will see the ruins of the old furnace.
GPS coordinates 41º 04.764'N - 79º 41.328'W. (50 feet above furnace.) (rp-2005) to top
Biddle (aka Rock) - James W. Biddle built this furnace in 1825 along Roaring Run in Kiskiminetas Township. It went into blast on Christmaas day. The venture was not successful, and the furnace changed hands several times before it went out of blast permanently in 1855(s&t). A little of each side is standing. Much slag abounds. A huge rock overhangs the road beside the furnace. (P)(V)(rp,ph-2004)
From the center of Apollo go E on PA56 to Pennsylvania Avenue and turn right. This becomes Old State Road (SR2046). At 1.4 miles 40º 34.711'N - 79º 32.547'W take Jackson Road (SR2050) to the right. This road leads to another road, Brownstown Road (SR2051), 40º 34.305'N - 79º 31.584'W. Go right on this road past the Kiski Twp. Maintenance and Police center on the right side of the road. Beyond this and just before the top of the hill you will find a place to park on the right side of the road. (Ignore the no trespassing sign. The Township police have said it is OK to park there) You may hike down the road and you will see a trail leading down to the Upper Falls on Rattling Run. When you enter the woods, there is a path running along the bluff above the stream. This will take you to the beautiful upper falls on Rattling Run.
However, to get to Biddle Furnace continue past the parking spot on Brownstown road to a gated entry on the right 40º 33.902'N - 79º 31.079'W. Park here. Walk the old gated road for about 1/2 to 5/8 mile paralleling Roaring Run to the bridge over the run. 40º 33.641'N - 79º 31.646'W. Continue up the road on the south side of Roaring Run to the big rock on the left.
GPS Coordinates 40º 33.541'N - 79º 31.731'W.(P)(V)(rrp 2004)
The furnace remains are down over the hill from this point about 20 feet. From here you can return to the bridge, look for a path to the left and follow it about 100-200 yards to the Lower Falls on Rattling Run. to top
Brady's Bend (aka Great Western Iron Works) - On Kaylor Creek (aka Sugar Creek), Brady's Bend Township. Was at one time one of the largest if not the largest of the iron industries plants in the 19th century. (Dunbar, in Fayette, may have been larger[rp]). At one time there were four furnaces, along with forges and rolling mills. The first was built in 1840 by Philander Raymond. Very large for those days it was a hot blast coke furnace with a 14 foot bosh and was 50 feet high. #2, in 1841, was of the same dimensions and the capacities were 100 tons a week. The 14 foot bosh was too large however, 12 being the maximum for coke in those days. #3, in 1843, reverted to an 11 foot bosh, was 43 feet high and had a capacity of 100 tons per week. #4, built in 1846, was a hot blast charcoal furnace with same dimensions as #3 with a capacity of 60 tons per week. The remains of only two of the furnaces exist. We photographed this site.(P)(V)(rp-1978, rp,ph-2004)
From East Brady cross the bridge over the Allegheny River on PA68. From the west end of the bridge 40º 59.471'N - 79º 36.879W' go about a mile and look for a tennis court and ballfield on the left. This is the Sean Bailey Memorial Ball Park. The furnaces are between the tennis court and the ballfield, back in the woods and against the hillside. You can turn into the parking lot of a shirt factory just beyond the ballpark and drive around to the location of the furnaces.
The West furnace GPS Coordinates are 40º 59,900'N - 79º 37.519'W. 30 feet below the furnace.
It has a fairly good west side and opening, but the front wall is fallen down.
The East furnace GPS coordinates are 40º 59.911'N - 79º 37.514'W. 40 feet below the furnace. (P)(V)(rrp 2004).
It has about 10-12 rows of stone showing on the front, but the sides are hard to make out. They are surrounded with a chain link fence and barbed wire, and are in heavy underbrush. to top
Buffalo - There were two furnaces at this site on Buffalo Creek in West Franklin Township. The first, a hot blast charcoal furnace with 9 foot bosh and 45 ton capacity, was built in 1839 by P. Graff and Company. The second, also a hot blast charcoal furnace with 8 foot bosh built in 1846 was a better producer. Both went out of blast in 1864(s&t). Only depressions in the ground remain. All the stones have been removed.(P)(V)(rp-2004).
Follow US422 west from Kittanning to Worthington. In Worthington turn right to the old highway (now SR4010) about 100 yards north. Turn west (parallel to the new highway) and proceed on SR4010 to the foot of the hill at the west end of town. Just before reaching the bridge over Buffalo Creek turn left (south) on a road just beyond a white house with a wooden two car garage. Proceed on this road past a row of houses on the right and left (about 1/4 mile). This road will go underneath US422. Park near the last house and garage on the left. Seek permission to cross their back yard. Go diagonally across the back yard about 60 yards toward the creek and hillside to large depressions in the ground filled with stones and rubble. We believe this was the location of Buffalo Furnaces.
GPS coordinates 40º 50.265'N - 79º 38.814'W.(rp-2004) to top
Cowanshannock (aka Bonner) - Is along Cowanshannock Creek about 3 miles North of Kittanning in Rayburn Township. Jeremiah Bonner and his brother, James C. Bonner, built this furnace in 1845. It was a cold blast charcoal furnace with an 8 foot bosh, and produced 2-1/2 tons per day. It passed through several owners, including James E. Brown, Brown and Connell, and Brown and Ball. In 1853 the assessment list states it was not in blast.(acg). Per s&t bad location of the stack led to its early abandonment in 1851. By the s&t account, in the 1960's, only a few stones, some rubble and slag remain. Very little remains today (2005). Another account suggests the stacks do remain near the village of Sunnyside, however we believe these were lime kilns. (P)(V)(is,dd.rp-2005)
Go north from Kittanning on SR1003 for 3 miles from the courthouse. Turn right on Mc Millen Road (T823?) at the north end of the bridge over Cowanshannock Creek. You will see a Catfish Sanctuary and boat access at this corner. Follow this road. At 0.4 miles Cowanshannock Road bears left. Bear right and continue on McMillen Road to about 0.9 miles (From SR1003) to where an old road (T507) goes sharply right. 40º 50.608'N - 79º 29.675W' Follow it down to an old bridge over Cowanshannock Creek. 4WD is recommended. 40º 50.503'N - 79º 29.908W'. The bridge is not passable by vehicle but can be walked. On the west side of the bridge look for an old abandoned road to the left paralleling the creek. Walk upstream on the west bank of the creek on this old road approximately 0.2 miles. You will notice another old road veering right and going up hill. Continue on the road paralleling the creek a short distance until you notice a level spot below the hillside and a steep path down to this flat area. Go down to this flat area turn right and walk about 30-40 feet. You will find a partially stone lined wheel pit and a mill race. To the right, near the hillside, are a few loose stones and furnace lining brick. Slag is abundant in the area. We believe the furnace stood near the hillside at this point.
GPS coordinates 40º 50.346'N - 79º 30.063'W to top
Mahoning (aka Colwell) - In Mahoning Township along Mahoning Creek. Built in 1845 by John A. Colwell of Kittanning, this furnace was successful for more than thirty years. It started as a steam powered cold blast charcoal furnace but was remodeled in 1860 for hot blast and coke. The stack was enlarged and an iron jacket lined with firebrick replaced the upper part. In September 1878 the furnace was taken out of blast because of the depression of that year. It was never reactivated(s&t). We have photographed this site.(P)(V)(rp-1978-2004)
Proceed north on PA28 to the village of Mahoning Furnace, on the north bank of Mahoning Creek (incorrectly identified as Red Bank Creek by Sharp and Thomas). At the south end of the bridge over the creek turn east and park at a posted and gated lane. 40º 56.715'N - 79º 21.725'W. Contact Cromer (Buck) Shumaker, owner, at 814-275-2832 to seek permission to enter the property. About 100 yards down this lane is a newer industrial or storage building. A well preserved stone charging bench is to the left just behind the building at the edge of the hill, and the furnace remains are below the hillside toward the creek. Several rows of stone remain with one opening clearly visible. There is no evidence of the iron jacket which was installed on the upper part of the stack in the 1860 remodeling. A depression in the ground probably marks the location of the steam house. Mounds of slag are present.
GPS coordinates 40º 56.865'N - 79º 21.638'W. (rp-2004) to top
McCrea (aka Olney) - Is along Mahoning Creek in Wayne Township. It was built in 1857 by McCrea and Galbraith about one mile below the Mahoning Dam. It is in poor condition, but with a well preserved retaining wall or loading dock below the remains(s&t). We photographed this site.(P)(V)(rp-1978-2004)
Go north from Kittanning on PA28 to Goheenville. About 3/4 mile beyond the bridge at the north end of the village turn right on Calhoun School Road (SR1016). Follow this road 3 miles, turn left on Crosscut Road (SR1025) for about 1.3 miles. Turn right on Pat Road and then right again on Furnace Road (T667). Follow this road to the bottom of the hill. Just before you reach the bridge over Camp Run turn left on a road that parallels Mahoning Creek. About 200 feet along this road you will see a stone wall at the base of the hill on the left. 40º 55.520'N - 79º 17.449'W. The furnace is on the hillside above the wall.
GPS coordinates 40º 55.516'N - 79º 17.477'W. (rp-2004) to top
Monticello - Was along the Allegheny River in Rayburn Township. It was built in 1859 by Robert E. Brown of Kittanning. He operated it successfully for several years(s&t). In 1863 it was sold to McKnight, Martin & Co., later McKnight, Porter & Co. The furnace provided employment for as many as 200 people, and its aggregated product was 60,000 tons of pig iron, which found markets in Pittsburgh and Kittanning. Between 1866 and 1874 20,000 tons of Lake Superior ore were mixed with native (carbonate) ores producing a superior quality of neutral iron, well adapted to the manufacture of nails, hoop iron and tool steel. The Allegheny Valley Railroad was extended to this point in 1865 or 1866 probably to service the furnace with ore. The furnace operations were discontinued in 1875(hac). There is very little left on this site except a nice retaining wall and lots of slag piles, the later extension of the railroad covering the site of the stack. (P)(V)(rp-2004).
Proceed north from the courthouse in Kittanning on SR1033 for three miles to where the bridge crosses Cowanshannock Creek. Cross the bridge and park at the northeast corner of SR1033 and McMillen Road at the Bernard C. Snyder Picnic site. Cross back over SR1033 to the Armstrong Rail Trail between the road and the Allegheny River. Walk the trail to the right (north) about 0.5 miles and you will see the retaining wall for Monticello furnace on your right The furnace itself stood on the present trail right of way. There are large piles of slag between the trail and the creek.
GPS coordinates 40º 51.233'N - 79º 30.027'W (rp-2004). to top
"Old" Redbank - Was along Redbank Creek in Madison Township. This steam powered cold blast charcoal furnace was built in 1841 by Alexander Reynolds and Christian Shunk. Shunk had withdrawn in 1842. It was blown out in 1853. He became the postmaster of Redbank, now Kellersburg. None of the stack remains, but slag has been found at the site(s&t)
ollow PA28 north from Kittanning to the village of Oakland (Distant Post Office). Turn left on SR1004 and follow it for about 4+ miles to Kellersburg. In Kellersburg turn right onto Greengate Road, opposite the church. Follow this road down the hill and through the strip mine area. The furnace can be recognized by the vast amount of slag scattered around. Nothing remains of the stack. Its location can be seen against the hill at the back edge of a large level area. Because of the stripping in this area it is difficult to give definite directions.
Approximate coordinates 40º 58.98N - 79º 26.41'W. to top
Ore Hill - Was built in 1845 along the east bank of the Allegheny River in Boggs Township. It was a hot blast charcoal furnace with a capacity of 35-40 tons of pig iron a week. It went out of blast in 1857 for lack of wood to make charcoal(s&t). We photographed this site. Very little remains.(P)(V)(rp-1978-2004)
Follow SR1033 north from Kittanning to Mosgrove. After crossing Pine Creek at the north edge of town turn left (the paved road goes right), cross the railroad right of way (Armstrong Rail Trail) and go north along the river. Park at the dam 40º53.641'N - 79º 28.615'W. and walk north along the Armstrong Rail Trail about 0.5 miles to the ruins. The ruins are between the trail and the hill. When the railroad tracks were raised because of the dam, the lower part of the furnace was covered with fill. Now only a loose pile of stones remain. There is some slag along the river bank.
GPS coordinates 40º53.808'N - 79º 28.075'W. (rp-2004) to top
Phoenix - Was on Mahoning Creek in Redbank Township. Henry Smith, W. B. Travis, Jonathan Grischer, and Andrew Workman built Phoenix Furnace in 1846. It used a loamy hematite ore found nearby and was never very successful. It was blown out in 1853(s&t). It is now buried in several feet of mud and is no longer visible.
Follow PA85 east from Kittanning to its junction with PA839. Go left on PA839 through Dayton to Milton, or Phoenix as it is known locally. From the north end of the bridge over Mahoning Creek, south of Milton, proceed 1-3/4 miles on PA839 through Milton . Turn left on T605 for about 1/4 mile. Where the road bears right an old lane turns left, almost straight ahead. Park and walk down this overgrown lane. The furnace was located where the lane crossed the creek. Today the bridge is no longer there and the remains are buried under several feet of mud.
Coordinates 40º 55'N - 79º 13.38'W. to top
Pine - Is along Pine Creek in Boggs Township. It was built in 1845 by Brown and Mosgrove of Kittanning to make hot blast charcoal iron, for which purpose it served until 1865, at which time it was remodeled for coke. The old stack was 32 feet high with a 10 foot bosh, and powered by steam. The new stack was 40 feet high with a 9'10" bosh and a 4 foot square hearth. It's capacity was 50-60 tons a week. It was blown out in the summer of 1879 because of the shortage of local ore. It operated almost continually during its lifetime. It was the cheapest furnace in the county to operate and was very profitable(s&t). A stone abutment for the charging bench remains but the stack is only a pile of stones and rubble. (P)(V)(rp-2004,dd)
Follow PA28 north from Kittanning for about 5.8 miles to a bridge over Pine Creek. Cross the bridge and make an immediate right at 40º 51.512'N - 79º 26.820W' on an unmarked road. This road leads to the junction of Cornman Road and Pine Furnace Road where you go right on Pine Furnace Road. Proceed 1.0 miles to a railroad and bridge over Pine Creek. Park before crossing the railroad. The furnace is to the left about 40 feet off the road and 50 feet before the railroad tracks. The stack is a pile of rubble. A large stone abutment for the land end of the charging bridge still stands against the hillside. The valley and creek are filled with slag, both charcoal and coke.
GPS coordinates 40º 51.209'N - 79º 25.818W' (rp 2004). to top
Stewardson - Is along Mahoning Creek in Pine Township. It was built in 1851 by Stewardson and Laughlin. Intended to use coke it had little success at first but later was quite successful. It was 43 feet high with an 11 foot bosh and a capacity of 75 to 80 tons a week until it went out of blast sometime after 1880. There are coke ovens farther up the hill(s&t). We photographed this site. Part of the inner lining, portions of the outer walls, many loose stones and part of the retaining wall are visible. There are huge slag piles. (P)(V)(rp1978-2004)
Drive north from Templeton on SR1003 to Mahoning. Just before crossing Mahoning Creek turn right on Stewartson Road, 40º 55.950'N - 79º 27.613W' Proceed about 1.6 miles on this road to where it starts a long right turn while turning up hill. Park at the edge of the road. 40º 56.175'N - 79º 26.564W'. Walk into the woods on the right about 50 feet and you will be at the remains of the furnace.
GPS Coordinates 40º 56.161'N - 79º 26.577W' (P)(V)(rrp 2004).
Armstrong County Special sources
Lee Schaeffer(ls). Roaring and Rattling Run web site www.nb.net/~schaefer/falls.html
Jim Mayuric- New Redbank and American Furnaces(jm)

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