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Bruin Dudley Hickory Kensington Maple Marion Mt. Etna Winfield
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BUTLER COUNTY

in Western Pennsylvania had seven furnaces. Only three have interesting remains.Winfield is the jewel of Butler furnaces having most all of the external stones intact except for one or two rows at the very top. The underbrush and trees around Winfield have been wonderfully cleaned up by Paul Burrows who worked at the nearby limestone loading plant. Marion has one tuyere opening facing the creek, and Mt. Etna is a huge pile of stones, and was at one time a large furnace. Kensington and Hickory do not have much left, and Bruin and Maple have no remains, although the Maple site could stand another thorough look.

  Marion Furnace
Marion Furnace
Winfield Furnace
Winfield Furnace

Bruin (aka Dudley) - was along Bear Creek, in Bruin, Parker Township. In the field north of the road are large quantities of slag, especially along the creek bank. From s&t ."A large field almost completely covered with slag to a depth of several feet shows that a furnace operated at this place for a long time, If the slag was downstream from the stack, as was the usual practice it would place the furnace near the hillside where the road is now. The area has had various commercial ventures over the years and the road probably was relocated long ago." Nothing remains.
Go north through the town of Bruin on PA268. When the road jogs east then north, continue east on blacktop T686 past the Bruin Lumber Company (1960's) and across the railroad right of way and bridge over Bear Creek. Park at the east end of the bridge. In the field north of the road are quantities of slag, especially along the creek bank. From s&t "A large field almost completely covered with slag to a depth of several feet shows that a furnace operated at this place for a long time, If the slag was downstream from the stack, as was the usual practice it would place the furnace near the hillside where the road is now. The area has had various commercial ventures over the years and the road probably was relocated long ago." No trace remains. Approximate coordinates 41º 03.80'N - 79º 43.51'W. to top
Hickory - is along Slippery Rock Creek in Slippery Rock Township.It was built in 1836 by Joseph P. Swearingen. After a few years it was sold by the sheriff to William Stewart and C. C. Sullivan who rebuilt it in 1846. A large pile of the stones remain but most has been carted off for other construction (s&t) (P)(V)(rp-1978, rp,dd-2004).
Drive north from Butler on PA8 to the bridge over Slippery Rock Creek. Just past the north end of the bridge turn right on Keister House Road. Follow this road about 3/8 mile to a railroad right of way. Park here and walk west along the railroad right of way and cross a bridge over Slippery Rock Creek. About 100 feet west of the end of the bridge turn north into the woods for about 100 feet to the bottom of a small hill. Hear is the mound remaining from the furnace, the millrace and the tailrace. Slag is abundant, and a few stones. GPS coordinates 41º 02.912'N - 80º 00.007'W. (rp-2004)
Higher up near the tracks are more stones which could have been part of the retaining wall for the charging bench. GPS coordinates 41º 02.887'N - 79º 59.978"W.(rp-2004) to top
Kensington - is near Squaw Valley Run in Allegheny Township in the far north east corner of Butler County. It was built by Church, Carothers and Crawford in 1846. It was a charcoal furnace and produced about six tons of pig iron a day. Various dates are given for its abandonment as 1852, 1853, 1859 and 1862(s&t). Only a large pile of stones and rubble remain. Per s&t there was a large salamander across the road. (P)(V)(rp-1977, rp.ph-2004).
Follow PA268 north from Parker toward Emlenton. Do not cross the Allegheny River bridge but continue past the bridge up the hill on PA38 south for 0.6 miles. Turn sharply left on Squaw Valley Road turning uphill and back east. 41º 10.420'N - 79º 43.144'W. Follow this road to where it turns right into Butler County and passes under I80. Where the road divides the right split is Squaw Valley Road. 41º 10.118'N - 79º 42.514'W. Take this right split about 100 feet and park.
GPS Coordinates 41º 10.083'N - 79º 42.540'W. (P)(V)(rp 2004).
Look along the hillside to the right and you will see the 15 foot high mound of stones and rubble at the furnace site. to top
Maple - was on the North Branch of Bear Creek in Allegheny Township. It was built in 1844 by George and James Bovard(s&t). The Bovard's founded the Village of Maple Furnace at that time and place(b). In 1854 the furnace was purchased by Matthew S. Adams, who had moved to Fairview, seven miles south of Maple furnace, in 1844 to go into the foundry business. Mr. Adams operated the furnace up to the fall of 1865. His iron was of good quality and was in great demand. He hauled it to Parker's Landing on the Allegheny River and from thence transported it by flatboats to Pittsburgh, In conjunction with the furnace he had a large store(a). The store continued until 1868, and a grist mill was still grinding in 1895, at which time the P. Bullman house stood on the old Maple furnace site(b). The house now is gone(s&t). Another source states that a Scotsman, John Hughes owned and controlled the Old Maple Furnace in Butler County(c). The area has been stripped for coal. Lots of slag is visible along Little Bear Creek below the stripped area(s&t). Nothing remains of the furnace.(V)(rp,ph-2004).
There are several possible ways to get to this site.
(1) A resident who owns the property where the pipeline is located says the best way to get to this location is to go southwest from Six Points on Slater Road to Blauser Road. Left on Blauser, parallel to the creek and downstream to the bridge. The last ½ mile on this road is best traversed with a 4WD vehicle.
GPS 41º 06.331'N - 79º 44.729'W (V)(rrp 2004)
Across the bridge is the area of the furnace site. Walk the jeep trail east to a flat area where the village probably was. The vegetation was so thick that it was not possible to discern specific landmarks in July of 2004.
(2) A second way to reach this site may be to go to Six Points on PA58 and turn S on Maple Furnace Road. Talks with residents in this area indicate that this would require a 4 wheel drive vehicle.
(3) Using the s&t directions (1960's) Follow SR1009 for 2.4 miles from the northern limits of the town of Bruin northwest to the village of Eldorado or Glenora as it was formerly called. In Eldorado Sr1009 turns sharply left and Dorado Road (T729?) turns to the right. Proceed straight ahead on a dirt lane to the Goertz farm, about 1/4 mile. Obtain permission to cross their farm, then proceed north on a lane starting at the barn. At the end of the lane park and walk down a cleared gas line right of way. Almost at the bottom of the hill go right on cross road to the creek, and go over the bridge to the site.
(4) A 4th possible way (s&t) to reach this place may be to turn right at Eldorado on T729? and follow it to the bottom of the hill. After about 1.4 miles where the road turns right turn left and park in an old lane, or jeep trail. Walk down this trail to the creek and cross it (The bridge was out when s&t visited the site, so this way may be difficult). After crossing the creek go straight ahead on the old lane along the creek for 1.5 to 1.75 miles. Pass the bridge mentioned in #1 above.
After reaching this location s&t stated the following "to the left. In about 100 yards you will be at the gas line right of way again on the north side of the creek. Upstream from the gas line are large amounts of slag. Above this slag dump is a mound of dirt and in back of it a ditch that could have been the millrace. This ditch continues downstream on the downstream side of the pipe line clearing. Farther down, a road was cut through the hillside, and there is an exposed bank of reddish brown dirt with charcoal slag mixed through it. Across the bridge and downstream is a field of slag. On the hillside above are several mounds of dirt and stone that possibly could be the remains of the furnace, the exact location of which remains a mystery". A historical account (1895) indicated that the P. Bullman house stood on the furnace site, however there are now no buildings in this area which formerly housed a village. to top
Marion - is on North Slippery Rock Creek in Marion Township. It was built in 1848 or 1850 by Robert Breeden and James Kerr, and blown out in 1862. It was a cold blast charcoal furnace producing about 18 tons of iron a week(s&t).Several rows of stone remain on one side showing one of the furnace openings but all the rest is gone.(P)(V)(rp-1978, rp,dd-2004).
Go to Harrisville on PA8. Turn east on PA58 for about 3.3 miles to a bridge over a creek. Then turn left at the east end of the bridge onto SR4013 (At the Rock Springs Presbyterian Church sign). Go north on this road about 0.4 miles to the intersection of Bailey Road. Park here at 41º 08.240' N - 79º 56.855'W. Walk west across the road and enter the woods at a culvert and follow a faint path to the left and toward the creek. You will pass the charging bench to the furnace and below it next to the creek are the furnace remains. Several rows of stone are still standing with one opening on the creek side, A millrace and much slag are about. There are remains of a long dam and several roads in addition to the millrace through the valley. The stack is a short distance below the dam.
GPS coordinates 41º 08.237'N - 79º 56.879'W. (rp-2004) to top
Mt. Etna - is on Slippery Rock Creek in Slippery Rock Township. It was built in 1822 by Dr. John Thompson with Samuel Kerr as foreman. After six years it was sold by the sheriff to David McJunkin who carried on until 1835 when W. S. Bingham rented and operated it. It was next leased by Ephraim Rose until 1838. and Robert McGowan who ran it until 1841. It later was moved to Pittsburgh and the town of Etna was named for it(s&t). Many furnace stones are piled up at the ruins of the stack. (P)(V)(rp-1978, rp/dd-2004).
Follow PA8 north from Butler to PA173 which bears to the left toward Slippery Rock. Follow PA173 for 2.25 miles to the bridge over the creek. Park on the north side of the bridge at the intersection of PA173 and Ralston Road. Walk south back across the bridge. About 40 feet beyond the end of the bridge turn right (west) at a culvert 41º 02.210'N - 80º 01.795'W and enter the woods. The furnace remains are about 40 feet off the road. A high stack of loose stones, a millrace and much slag is visible. (The abutments to the old road, mentioned in the S&T directions, can be seen to the east).
Furnace GPS coordinates are 41º 02.195'N - 80º 01.819'W (rp-2004)
Coming from the north on PA8 from Harrisville cross Slippery Rock Creek continue to Ralston Road on the right and follow it to the junction with PA173. to top
Winfield - is on Rough Run in West Winfield in Winfield Township. It was built in 1847 by William Speer. Originally 20 feet square and 33 feet high it used charcoal and produced about 40 tons of iron a week. Sold to the Winfield Coal Company in 1856, it was purchased by William Stewart of Hickory Furnace fame, but he closed it down in 1864. Powered by water at the start it later was converted to steam. The iron produced was shipped to Freeport by wagon and from there to Pittsburgh by boat(s&t). The exterior of the furnace is in good shape, with about 13 rows of stone intact, and there are three large openings that can be entered and a view up the stack obtained. There is slag near the creek. (P)(V)(rp,ph-2004).
Follow US422 east about 7.5 miles from its intersection with PA68 northeast of Butler. Turn south (R) on McGrady Road. 40º 50.877'N - 79º 44.683'W This merges with SR1019, (Clearfield Road?) which will take you to West Winfield. At about 4.6 miles you will come to a bridge over Rough Run. A limestone loading plant is on the left). 40º 47.710'N - 79º 41.787'W. Continue about another 0.1 mile to a split left. Take this left split about another 0.2 miles to a sharp left then a sharp right. Park on the left between the two curves. 40º 47.524'N - 79º 41.659'W. Look left and notice rubble piles and a concrete pad from the old abandoned railroad depot. Beyond this is a level area below the hillside to the left and above the creek. This is the abandoned railroad right of way Walk this level area about 1-1/2 city blocks and watch for the furnace against the hillside on the left.
GPS coordinates 40º 47.663'N - 79º 41.701'W. (P)(V)(rp 2004)
The exterior of the furnace is in good shape, with about 13 rows of stone intact, and there are three large openings that can be entered and a view up the stack obtained. There is slag near the creek.Paul Burrows of Cabot, PA has done a great job of clearing out the site so it can be easily recognized.(rp)
Butler County Special Sources:
(a) Biographical and Historical Cyclopedia of Indiana and Armstrong Counties, 1891, pages 478-479
(b) History of Butler County Pennsylvania, R. C. Brown & Co. Publishers, 1895, end of ch. 69.
(c) http://freepages.history.rootsweb.com/~doverspike/Hughes=Daubenspeck=History.html
Paul Burrows, Cabot, PA.(pb)- Winfield Furnace preservation

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