Beaver - Built along Deer Creek in Beaver Township by Leonard Sample in 1835(jac) or by Long, Blackstone & Co. in 1837(peb/idr). In 1837 the owners were listed in the Pittsburgh Business Directory as Leonard & Sample(pbd). One of its owners, D. B. Long, while in the PA legislature, stimulated passage of a law prohibiting sale of intoxicating liquors within 3 miles of this furnace(hcc). In 1850 it was owned by Miller and Lang(s&t) . It was a cold blast furnace with one tuyere and the blast powered by steam. It had a 9 foot bosh and was 33' high. Various accounts list its production from 1310(s&t) to 12000(idr) tons per year. Beaver shipped its iron on flat boats from Hahn's Ferry at the mouth of Piney Creek(ajd) It was abandoned in 1854(s&t). Hurricane Ivan and the subsequent high water virtually wiped out all remains. (P)(V)(rp-1977-2004).
Take PA68 north through to SR2007 (Curllsville). Turn left and follow SR2007 until it crosses the Clarion River. At the north end of the bridge turn right on SR 4001. Go about 1-1/2 miles. Turn left on Beaver Furnace Road (T411, old T422?) and go about 3/4 mile to where it crosses Deer Creek. Cross bridge and park. Per s&t in the 1960's "About 100 feet up the road is a large slag bank. Between this spot and the road is a large pile of cut stone. Probably the furnace stone. Exact location of original furnace may have been
obscured by road relocation and movement of stones". When we visited this site in Oct. 2004 it was obvious that there had been a huge washout due most likely by hurricane Ivan. Almost the entire area between the road and the creek had been severely washed away and probably many of the furnace stones and slag had disappeared. We did find the partial remains of a stone wall about 275 feet from the bridge at 41º 12.013'N - 79º 27.475'W.. and a few loose furnace stones that remained from the washout at 41º 12.014'N - 79º 27.445'W.(rp-2004)
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Black Fox - Built along Black Fox Run in Perry Township in 1844 by Lawson & Co.(jac), or Welsh & Co. Bought by Adams & Varnum in 1848. Failed in 1850. Purchased in sheriff's sale by Jacob Painter et al. Samuel Barr was superintendent. It had other owners including Jones &Co., Joseph M. Thompson, and I. M. Boyd. It was a hot blast steam powered furnace 30' high with 9' bosh. In 1845 production was 1000 tons, in 1858 2000 tons. A boiler explosion in 1858 killed one man and led to its abandonment(unk). No trace remains. An interesting feature of this site is its "popcorn" slag.
Go west from Callensburg on PA368 to West Freedom, about 3.5 miles. Turn south on SR3001 for about 2.4 miles to Black Fox Road to the left (old LR16086?). (You will have passed an earlier road to the left [SR3004?]. Do not take this road as it does not go to Black Fox Run). Proceed on Black Fox Road about 1-3/4 miles. The furnace was on a level spot just above the road on the right, and below a lane going up the hill. An interesting feature of this location is its popcorn slag which is unique.
Coordinates 41º 3.982'N - 79º 37.322'.to top
Buchanan - is on Clarion Run in Licking Township. It was built in 1844 by Plummer, Creasy(jac) & Co. Another account states it was built by Christian Myers(jm) Height 30', 8' or 9' bosh cold blast charcoal furnace with one tuyere. Average production was 1200 tons. In 1856 production was 2000 tons. Owners were S. F. Plummer of Kittanning, Arnold Plummer of Franklin and F. G. Crary(ajd) of Kittanning. Crary(Creary) became sole owner in 1857. Abandoned 1858 because timber was exhausted.(unk). The stack is well preserved. (P)(V)(rp-1977, jm-2003, rp,ph-2004).
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Go north from Callensburg on PA58. About 500 feet after crossing the Clarion River, turn left into a private lane. 41º 07.845'N - 79º 33.362'W (Get permission from the owner). Go about 500 feet on this lane and you will come to a roped off area on the right called Sleepy Hollow. 41º 07.901'N - 79º 33.469'W. Park here. Walk up the open glade area to the northeast, and right, up to the furnace, about 100 yards.
GPS Coordinates 41º 07.947'N - 79º 33.468'W (p)(v)(rrp 2004).
The best preserved original furnace in Clarion County.
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Catfish - was on Catfish Run in Madison Township. Built in 1845 or 1846 by Over, Reichart & Lobaugh(jac/hcc). It was a steam powered cold blast furnace with 30' height and 9.5' bosh. It failed(?) in 1851 and was then probably sold to Alexander Miller and leased to J. L. Miller. The manager was J. H. Kahl. Production in only 33 weeks of 1856 was 925.5 tons so it likely shut down after 1856. It utilized carbonate and red ores from within one mile to the north.(unk). The area was used for coal storage and no trace remains of the furnace(s&t).(V)(rp-2004).
No trace remains. This site should be visited together with the site of Sarah Furnace. Follow PA68 east from East Brady (5,3 miles) or to the junction with SR3006 to the left. Follow SR3006 to the bottom of the hill to where the road turns right to follow the Allegheny River. The furnace stood to the right against the hillside and north of the creek. We visited this site in Oct. 2004 and although nothing is left the location of the furnace site is quite obvious.
GPS coordinates 41º 00.396'N - 79º 35.254'"W.(rp-2004)
We did find a beehive coke oven on the left side of the road just before the right turn. to top
Clarion - On Toby Creek in Paint Township, was built in 1828 by Christian Meyers with Henry Bear as designer and expert ironmaster. It was the first furnace in Clarion County. It was 30 or 32' high, 24 ft at base with an 8' bosh, cold blast water powered charcoal furnace, with one tuyere. It became the pattern for other Clarion County furnaces(s&t). In 1837 it was owned by Christian Myers & Co, and had 50 hands working(pbd). It produced from 1200 to 1300 tons in 1847. Clarion iron was shipped to Pittsburgh from the lower bridge at Clarion(ajd). In 1851 Meyers assigned it to his son-in-law Nelson Hetherington. It closed in 1852 due to financial problems(unk).
The exact location of the stack is not known(sh). As late as 1978 there were many large furnace like stones, which may have been from the stack, scattered up the hillside, and across the road toward the creek. The flood of 1996, which destroyed the bridge over the creek, may have obliterated much of this evidence since the 2004 siting found fewer remaining stones.(rp). However, the findings of an archaeological mitigation report, by Scott Heberling, in 2007, has analysed the remains of the charging bench, and charcoal house, many building foundation remains, retaining walls, and evidence of iron ore charcoal and slag dumps on the site. The slag dumps may have been removed due to the bridge reconstruction(sh). (P)(V)(rp-1978-2004).
Two ways to reach the Clarion Furnace site are given.
(1).
Go west from Clarion on US322. After crossing over the Clarion River go another 0.7 miles. Turn right on Kiser-Wagner Road. Continue bearing right on Kiser-Wagner about another 0.8 miles to the junction with Bigley Road. Take a right on Bigley and proceed down to within about 100 feet of where the road approaches Toby Creek. A few stones are to the right against the hillside, and others are across the road toward the creek, however the stack has been covered by the road.(rp) Slag piles exist downstream from this point(sh).
(2)The bridge over Toby Creek, at this point, was washed out in the flash floods of 1996, but is was replaced in 2007. An easier way to reach the site is now possible. Go north from Clarion on SR1006 (Miola Road) 1/4 mile north of the Clarion River and then turning left on Bigley road down to and across Toby Creek. About 100 feet beyond the bridge you will see the stones to the left and to the right.
GPS coordinates 41º 14.118'N - 79º 23.073'W.(rp-2004)
Other accounts place Clarion furnace on the Clarion River just west of the confluence with Toby Creek. However, we did find the furnace remains as per above directions, and the Heberling report confirms this to be the correct location. to top
Clinton - Was built along Hemlock Creek (Penndot) or McCauley Run (DeLorme) in Washington Township in 1841 by Moore, Semour & Co.(jac), or Clapp & Semore(idr), (Seymour-jm). It was a steam powered cold blast charcoal furnace 33' high, with 9.5' bosh . (8' bosh-jm). Production 1000 tons in 1845 and 1847; 2000 tons of forge metal out of fossil buhr stone and fossil limestone mined two miles south of furnace lower coal measure ore in 1856(unk). In 1850 it was owned by Horner and Eaton, and in 1859 by Samuel F. Plumer of Franklin(s&t). During Plumer's ownership it was managed by William Hollis(unk). Blown out sometime after 1859. It is in poor condition (P)(V)(rp-1978-he-2003).
Drive east from Oil City on US62 to PA157 to the right. Follow PA157 through Coal Hill to Venus, a distance of about 12 miles. Turn left on County Line Road (T591) north and then northeast to where Faller Road (T590) crosses near a bridge over McCauley Run (or Hemlock Creek N41º 22.917' W079º 27.908' (Hank Edenborn - Sept. 2003).
The furnace ruins are against the hillside about 200 to 600 ft. to the right before reaching Faller Road. Large quantities of slag are everywhere.
Location N41º 22.859' - W079º 27.913' approximate (he-May 2004).
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Corsica (aka Mt. Pleasant) - was northwest of Corsica in Clarion Township. It was built in 1849 by G. W. Corbett, Solomon Cyphert, and George Reynolds. It was 30' high with an 8' bosh. Average annual production was about 500 tons from nearby ore. Sold to J. P. Brown, (Brown, Phillips & Company), in 1850. In the summer or fall of 1961 it was pushed over by a strip mining operation. When s&t visited in October of that year it had not been removed or covered up. The salamander was there, on edge; also a piece consisting of three pigs, and several long pieces of 12' or 14' cast iron pipe which probably were part of the blast piping(s&t).
Take US322 west from Corsica in Jefferson County for about 1-3/4 miles to Potter Road (T560?). Turn Right (north) for 0.6 miles to the intersection with Ashbury Road (T566). The furnace was located about 100 feet north of a house and barn that you will see at this point. Land and roads have been changed due to strip mining operations. Coordinates 41º 11.45'N - 79º 13.74'W..
Deer Creek - was just west of Shipppenville along Deer Creek in Elk Township. It was built in 1844 by Kerr and Hasson(jac). At one time it was owned by Mease and Co(hcc). It was a cold blast, water powered, one tuyere furnace with a production in 1847 1100 tons. (Per s&t maximum production was 900 tons). Sold by the sheriff in 1850. Abandoned 1851(unk). The stack is under the town dump and road and no trace remains.(jm-2003).
West of Shippenville just before Deer Creek the old road bears to the right and about 200 feet on the left is the town dump.
Coordinates 41º 15.31'N - 79º 28.47'W.to top
Eagle - Built in 1846 on Canoe Creek in Beaver Township by Curll, Kribbs and Company. It was a cold blast charcoal furnace with one tuyere, 30' high with an 8' bosh. In 1850 it was operated and owned by George Cribbs and Joseph B. Reynolds, and produced an average of 700-800 tons per year. It went out of blast in 1858(s&t/unk). It is in fair condition with many rows of stone intact and openings visible,(P)(V))(rp-1977, jm-2003, he,rp-2004).
To reach this site exit I80 at the Wentling Corners exit (#53). Go south on SR3007 until a left turn onto Eagle Furnace Road Go 1/4 mile to just before a bridge over Canoe Creek. The furnace is about 200 feet to the right of the road and near the top of the hill, about 100 feet before reaching the creek. Hank Edenborn visited this site in Aug. 2004 and we did in Oct 2004 verifying the coordinates. A rewarding view of a fairly well preserved furnace awaits.
GPS Coordinates 41º 10.291'N - 79º 31.417W.(he-rp-2004)
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Elk (aka Soapfat, Smearcase) - is located about 3/4 mile above the site of Deer Creek Furnace along Little Deer Creek in Elk Township. It was built in 1842 by William B. Fitzhugh(jac). In 1850 it was owned by W. B. Fetzer(s&t/ajd). It was a small furnace, 22' high with a 7-1/2' bosh, powered by water. It produced 700 tons in 1845, 1000 tons in 1847, but only 400 tons in 1854, being abandoned in the fall of 1855 when timber was exhausted(unk). This furnace is in poor condition, a pile of stones and rubble, buried in heavy underbrush (P)(V)(rp,km-2004).
Go west from Shippenville on US322 to Soap Fat Road (T410 north - 0.2 miles west of Deer Creek). Follow Soap Fat Road about a mile and park at 41º 16.045'N - 79º 28.362'W. Walk across the road (southwest) into the forest and bear down and to the right about 200 feet to the furnace site. Hank Edenborn visited this site in 2004 and verified the location. Collapsed but still recognisable.
GPS coordinates 41º 16.044'N - 79º 28.413'W.(he-rp2004).
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Helen (aka Highland) - This furnace is about 8 miles north of Clarion at the small community of Helen Furnace in Highland Township. Was built by Robert Barber and Wilson S. Packer in 1845(jac). Mr. Packer owned it in 1850(s&t). It failed and then was bought by David Richey, followed by Samuel Wilson, whose partner for a while was David McKim(hcc). It was a cold blast, two tuyere furnace, powered by steam(s&t). It was 32' high with a 9' bosh, with the maximum annual production of 1000 tons(jm). It produced 756 tons in 26 weeks of 1856 with ore mined from back of the tunnel head. It was abandoned in 1856 or 1857(unk/jm). The original name was "Highland" in honor of Alexander McNaughton a Scotsman who owned the farm where the furnace was built. This was pronounced "Hieland" or "Heeland" and was later corrupted to "Helen". In the early 1960's s&t said "The inner stack is in good condition. The outer stones have fallen down. Someone, several years ago, piled some of the stones to form a round stack. It is a poor imitation of a furnace". Helen Furnace was reconstructed in 1977 on the exact site of the original furnace, When we visited the reconstructed furnace in 1977 we found a well maintained furnace with a charging bridge replica. Hurricane Ivan in fall of 2004 had broken down one wall of the furnace and destroyed the charging bridge. Restoration of the furnace was completed by 2007 but the charging bench had not been replaced(wb). It is interesting to note that the restorations have included mortared joints between the outer stones which was never the practice with original furnaces (P)(V)(rp-1977-2004, he-2003).
Following S.&T's directions, "go north from Clarion on PA966 (now numbered SR1005) to the village of Helen Furnace.Turn west on LR16090 (renumbered SR1004 White Oak Drive), which is just south of the village. About 0.1 miles west you will see the stack on the left about 100 feet from the road".
Other web sites indicate other directions and locations for this furnace, however the directions given by Sharp and Thomas and revised to show the new road numbers and names are the correct directions. These have been verified by the Clarion County Park personnel, the USGS topographical map for Lucinda quadrangle, and the GPS reading by Hank Edenborn in April 2004..
The GPS location is 41º 17.16'N - 79º 19.244'W. (he-rp2004)
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Hemlock - is along McCauley Run (DeLorme) or Hemlock Creek (Penndot) in Washington Township. It was built in 1845 by W. B. Fetzer(Fitzhugh?) & McGuire; Homer and Eaton. It was a cold blast, steam powered furnace with a 7.5' bosh and 30' height. Production in 1846 and 1847 was 2000 tons and in 1856 1200 tons(hcc). According to s&t it was a water powered furnace. In 1850 it was owned by Moore and Seymour. It went out of blast in 1865(s&t). Most of the furnace was fallen down but a large portion of the inner wall of the stack bosh and hearth and outer wall were visible. It appears that the front half of the furnace had been removed in such a way that it appears to have been sliced vertically with a huge knife. (P)(V)(rp-1977,he-2003).
Drive east from Oil City on US62 to PA157 to the right. Follow PA157 through Coal Hill to Venus, a distance of about 12 miles. Split left onto Gowdy Road (T593?). Follow this road a little more than a mile. When Gowdy Road splits left over a bridge and T586 (McCauley Road) goes right you will see the furnace next to the hillside on the right. Hank Edenborn visited this site in Sept. 2003 and verified the location.
GPS location N41º 22.09' - W079º 27.502' (he-2003)
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Jefferson (aka Quaking Asp) - is along Beaver Creek in Beaver Township. Built in 1838 by Armold Plummer & Co. Later S. F. Plummer became the sole proprietor. It was managed by John Haslett, and was in sporadic use. Production in 1845 and 1847 was 800 tons, and in 1856 about 600 tons of forge metal out of limestone and bog ores(hcc). It was a cold blast furnace, powered by water and later by steam(s&t). Abandoned in 1858 mainly from lack of timber(hcc). A large pile of stones and rubble remain and the millrace is visible (P)(V)(rp-1978, km,rp-2004)
To reach Jefferson Furnace exit I80 at exit 53 and go north to Wentlings Corners on PA336. Turn left on Jefferson Furnace Road (SR4005) Follow down across Beaver Creek and park at the far end of the bridge. 41º 12.195'N - 79º 33.938'W. Walk back across the bridge, enter the woods to the right (south) and look for the millrace. Follow the millrace to the furnace ruins which are about 100 yards into the woods against the base of a small hill, and are only a pile of stones and rubble.
GPS coordinates 41º 12.146'N - 79º 33.883'W. (rp-2004)
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Licking - on Licking Creek in Farmington Township (east of Lickingville). It was built in 1845 by Ohler & Co., a cold blast charcoal fired water powered furnace, with one tuyere, 30' high with 7.5' bosh. Production in 1846 and 1847 1200 tons, but later dropped to 400 tons. Owners were William Ohler, John G. Seigworth, John Myers and John Kapp(hcc). Per s&t owned by Sigworth and Fetzer in 1850. It was blown out in 1856. Only a few loose stones were found in 2004. (P)(V)(rp-1977-2004).
Go north on PA208 from Fryburg to Lickingville. Turn right on SR4004 (old 92 spur) through Lickingville, about 1.4 miles east and cross Licking Creek. Turn right on the old highway and go back toward the creek to where a dirt road T602 turns to the left. Follow this road about 1/2 mile to its end at Gilford Road (Gregory Road per latest Penndot county map)(T562?) which goes right toward a bridge over the creek. At the intersection of T602 and Gilford Road (GPS coordinates 41º 22.031'N - 79º 21.064'W[rp-2004]) the ruins were straight ahead down a small bank. Only a little pile of stones remained (1978), but there are acres of slag. When we visited this site in Oct. 2004 we found only a few loose stone scatteded about. The location was in havy woods and thick underbrush and we could not get a GPS reading at this point.
Estimated coordinates 41º 21.976'N - 79º 21.093'W.
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Limestone - Is along Little Piney Creek in Limestone Township. Built in 1845 by Jacob B. Lyon & Co.(hcc). It was a cold blast, charcoal furnace with one tuyere, water powered, 30' high (or 32'-jm) with 8' bosh(s&t/hcc). It produced 1000 tons in 1847 and following years. It was abandoned in 1853(hcc). The 15 foot high ruins are in poor condition. (P)(V)(rp-1977, he,rp,km-2004).
Go south toward Limestone on PA66. Turn left on SR2001 and proceed about 1.1 miles down to where a road goes right and immediately crosses Piney Creek. Park before crossing the creek. The furnace is on the right against the hillside about 100 feet before crossing Piney Creek. The furnace is a high pile of stones and much rubble. There is much slag around.
GPS Coordinates 41º 08.777'N - 79º 18.640'W.(rp-he-2004)
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Lucinda - A nice sign greets you at Lucinda Furnace on Paint Creek in Knox Township. It was built in 1833(peb) or 1836(jac) by James Humes and George B. Hamilton. The sign at the furnace site states that it operated from about 1815 to about 1860, but 1815 was quite early for a Clarion County Furnace and we suspect this source is mistaken. It was a hot blast charcoal furnace 30' high with a 7'10" bosh. Humes became sole proprietor. In 1837 the listed owner was the Geo. B. Hamilton & Co. and 50 hands were working(pbd). In 1843 John F. Steinman, assignee of Humes, sold the furnace to James Buchanan (later U.S. president) and John Reynolds, of Cornwall, Lebanon County. At the same time they purchased 4,351 acres of land in Knox Township for $20,500. Buchanan visited the furnace in June 1843. The furnace was leased to Reynolds and Nathan Evans who managed it. Produced 1200 tons in 1845 and only 1500 in 1856. The furnaces output had a high reputation among mill and foundrymen. The iron was shipped to Pittsburgh from the lower bridge at Clarion(ajd). Abandoned in 1858 because of low prices and scarce lumber(hcc/s&t). Part of the stack was removed for road construction, and for retaining walls and foundations for properties nearby. There is very little left. (P)(V)(rp-1977, he,rp-2004).
Turn west from PA68 to SR4015 in the village of Lucinda. Follow it for about 1.3 miles, or until shortly before SR4015 goes over the creek. At this point a smaller lane (Fairview Drive) continues straight ahead parallel to the creek. About 200 feet down this lane the ruins are on the right side of the road and only about 20 feet from it. A sign besides the furnace tells its story. Only part of the structure remains. Most of it was removed when the road was widened. Hank Edenborn verified the GPS location in April 2004 We visited this site in Oct. 2004 and observed that several stone fences and building foundations appear to have stone that may have been taken from Lucinda furnace which remains in dismal condition.
GPS location 41º 18.880'N - 79º 23.271'W.(P,V) (he-rp2004)
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Madison - We found this furnace remains along Piney Creek in Piney Township. It was built in 1836 by Mathiot, Miller & Co.(jac), or Mathias & Co(ajd). It was a steam powered cold blast furnace 32' high with 9' bosh. Bought by Lyon, Shorb & Co. about 1846 it was managed by Thomas McCulloch, Samuel Barr, Calvin Rankin, and M. Conrad. Produced 1000 tons in 1845 and 1847 and only produced 2500 tons of mill iron out of argillaceous carbonate ores of coal fields nearly in 1856. Production in 1872 was 3,048 tons. Madison Furnace ran the molten metal into "chills".i.e. iron molds. The iron was taken to Hahn's Ferry at the mouth of Piney Creek for shipment to Pittsburgh in flat boats with 75 to 100 tons of metal(ajc). Abandoned in 1873 as a result of economic panic(jac). Only a few stones remain. (P)(V)(rp-he-2004).
Follow PA68 north through Sligo to its junction with SR2007.
Three directions to Madison are given, two from this location:
(1) Turn north on SR 2007 and follow it to the Clarion River. Just before the river cross the bridge over Piney Creek and turn right on Laurel Road (T420) which runs between this bridge and the bridge over the Clarion River. A little more than a mile out on this road is a bridge on a road to the right crossing back over Piney Creek. The furnace is located on the right side of this road at the far end of the bridge and against the hillside. These are the original s&t directions modified with new road numbers.
(2) Dan Dundon suggests a better route. Turn north on SR2007 and proceed to the village of Shamburg. Turn right and go east and then northeast on Wassum Road to its junction with a road going left over Piney Creek. The furnace ruins are on the left side of this Road before crossing the bridge and against the hillside.
(3) Hank Edenborn visited this site in Aug. 2004 and verified the location, and also suggested a better route. Exit south onto PA68 at Williamsburg exit on I80. Past Williamsburg turn right onto Piney Dam Road (SR3016) and go west to the road to the left and the bridge over Piney Creek as in (1) above.
After crossing Piney Creek from the north (routes 1 & 3) go around the guard rail on the right side of the road and follow the millrace to the furnace, about 60 feet off the road and 100 feet from the creek. Only a few stones remain.
GPS Coordinates 41º 10.503'N - 79º 27.035'W.(he-rp-2004)
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Martha (aka Polk) - Is 1-1/4 miles south of Reidsburg on PA68 in Monroe Township. Built in 1844 or 1845 by Christian Myers. Named for President James K. Polk, but changed to Martha when Myers became angry with Polk because of the repeal of the 1842 tariff. It was built as a successor to Clarion Furnace where ore and timber were becoming scarce. Later owned and managed by Myers' son-in-law Nelson Hetherington, who was manager most of its time of operation.. Bought by Lyon, Shorb and Co. but never operated by them. Martha was a cold blast charcoal furnace(jm). Production up to 1847 was 1000 tons and in 1854 1,260 tons. The iron was shipped to Pittsburgh by flat boats from the lower bridge in Clarion(ajd). Dismantled in 1856 due to scarcity of timber(hcc/s&t). Only a few rows of stones remain.(P)(V)(rp-1977-jm-2003, rp-2005).
Take PA68 south from Reidsburg around a long right hand curve and look for Over Road coming in from the left. (41º 08.368'N - 79º 24.911'W). The furnace is on the north (right) side of PA68 and behind and slightly to the left of a house across from Over Road. It is in a thicket of pine trees and brush, and up the hill about 20 feet. Only a few rows of stone are visible. Below the hill is a large depression, which could have been the wheel pit or boiler house location. The furnace is quite a distance from the nearest major creek, Piney Creek, and we do not know if it received water from that source.
GPS coordinates 41º 08.401'N - 79º 24.911'W. (rp 2005)
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Mary Ann - is along Paint Creek in Elk Township. It was built in 1844 by Plummer & Craig(jac) or John Black, Daniel Brenneman, David McKee, and John Thom(idr). It was sold to John and Adam Black. Mary Ann was a cold blast furnace with an 8' bosh. Production in 1846 was 1000 tons and in 1847 1000 tons. It was abandoned in 1851(hcc). Mary Ann has many tiers of stone remaining but they are in a disheveled condition (P)(V)(rp-1977, he,rp-2004).
From PA66 in Shippenville, go east on US322 about 3/4 mile. The ruins are visible about 30 feet back on the north side of the road almost at the bottom of the hill and about 200 feet before reaching the bridge over Paint Creek, and 50 feet from the end of the guardrail.
GPS coordinates at road 41º 14.820'N - 79º 26.857'W.(rp-2004) 41º 14.844'N - 79º 26.834'W.(he-2004)
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Monroe - Along Piney Creek in Monroe Township, about 1-1/2 miles east of Reidsburg. Built in 1849 there are various accounts of its builder or owners; Cochran & Fulton(jac), Cochran Fulton; W.B.Fetzer &Co., Cochran & Timblin(hcc). It was a cold blast furnace 30' high with an 8' bosh. Produced 1000 tons in 1845 and 1847, and 1250 tons in 1855. Abandoned in 1882, it was dismantled in the summer of 1922(hcc/s&t). Nothing remains of the stack, and only a few stones are scattered around. (P)(V)(rp-2004)
Go south to Reidsburg on PA68. Turn left on Timber Ridge Road and left again on Reidsburg Road (SR2003). Go 1.5 miles and park off the road where a mound is to your left and a house on a hill to the right. (9210 E. Reidsburg Road). Seek permission from the owners, the Landfried's, to
enter their property on the north side of the road behind and below the mound. A few loose furnace stones lie about 30 feet below the road toward the creek. We did not discover the arch mentioned by S&T because of the thick underbrush, but a nicely mowed area led down to where the furnace stones were.
GPS coordinates . 41º 9.009'N - 79º 22.487'W.(rp-2004)
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Pike - In Lawsonham, along Wilcat Run in Madison Township. Built in 1844 or 1845 by Lawson, Duff & Orr. Hunter Orr was the owner/manager. It was a cold blast charcoal furnace with 30' high stack and 8' or 8'6" bosh, later converted to hot blast, charcoal and steam. In 1845 and 1847 production was 1700 tons, and in 1856 1500 tons from limestone ore from coal beds near the furnace. According to the Convention of Ironmasters publication (1850), the 1849 production was 830 tons and the maximum up until that time was 1000 tons(cim). Production was suspended in 1858 for a while but resumed. Blown out in 1868-1869, and dismantled in 1887 probably when the railroad was built and covered all but the top of the stack(hcc/s&t/rp). Pike was found to be in poor condition when we visited it in 2004. (P)(V)(rp-1977, rp,ph-2004).
Go south on SR2009, Lawsonham Road, about 3 miles + or - from its junction with PA68 in Rimersburg.. Look for a road on the left Solida Road 41º 00.123'N - 79º 29.210'W Turn left and then make a quick right onto Crissman Road. Proceed on this road about 0.6 miles or to a utility pole on the right at the first (grey) house on the right. Park here. 41º 00.073'N - 79º 28.793'W (The owners of this house or the next one on the right or the first house on the left up the hill can direct you to the furnace site.) There are two routes from here (1). Walk from the utility pole across the yard to the edge of the hill and woods and the furnace remains are down the hillside next to the railroad tracks. (2) Drive to the yard east of the second house on the right and look for a lane starting at the south east corner of the yard. You can drive this lane down to the railroad tracks. 41º 00.111'N - 79º 28.666'W Walk southwest along the tracks (a right curve) When the right curve ends and the tracks straighten out look to the right and the furnace remains are against the hillside no more than 15 feet from the tracks.
GPS Coordinates 41º 00.042'N - 79º 28.791'W (P)(V)(rp 2004) When the railroad was built the fill covered about ½ of the furnace so that only about six or eight rows of top now show.to top
Prospect - A mile south of Callensburg on Cherry Run in Licking Township. Built in 1845 by H. Alexander & McElroy; Moore, Painter & Co.(hcc). It was a steam powered, cold blast furnace with 8' bosh and 30' height. It was managed by William Moore, under Moore, Painter & Co. ownership. Produced 1450 tons of mill iron in only 39.25 weeks in 1856 from blue coal measure limestone ore mined within 3.5 miles of the furnace. Abandoned in 1862(hcc). Only a small pile of stones remain. (P)(V)(jm-2003, rp,ph-2004).
Go west from Callensburg on PA368 for about 1/2 mile and cross a bridge over Licking Creek. 41º 07.412'N - 79º 34.102'W. Turn south on SR2009 for about 3/4 mile to Eldon Road just past the bridge over Cherry Run. 41º 06.766'N - 79º 33.903'W. Turn left and stop at the first barn on the right or the first house on the left and ask for Alex. He can direct you to the furnace site. Continue on Eldon Road for a total of about 0.25 miles from its jct with SR2009 and you will notice an area to the left with much farm and industrial junk. Park here. 41º 06.944'N - 79º 33.858'W. Walk through the junk area and to the hillside. The furnace remains are down the hillside toward the creek.
GPS Coordinates 41º 06.961'N - 79º 33.899'W. (P)(V)(rp 2004)
We found a pile of furnace stones about 3-4 feet high and a depression in the ground.
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Redbank (aka New Redbank) - Is on Redbank Creek in Madison Township. It was built in 1859 by Thomas McCullogh. Alexander Reynolds became a partner, and McCullogh was replaced by Moorhead and the firm became Reynolds and Moorhead. This furnace was the successor to Old Redbank Furnace across Redbank Creek in Armstrong County. The first stack on this site was 39' high and had an 11' bosh, showing the trend toward larger furnaces started about that time. The stack later was increased to 64' and its equipment was modernized and improved. This was a coke furnace and the coke was made in pits at first but subsequently, by 1887, 40 beehive ovens were built on the charging bench. Redbank was unusual in that the ore, limestone and coal were brought down from the top of the hill on a tramway. Then the ore, limestone and coke were charged into the top of the furnace. The slag was hauled to the Allegheny River, a few hundred yards away, and dumped on the river bank(s&t). Average production was 95 tons per week, when coke was made in pits, but by 1887, with beehive ovens, capacity was 150 tons per week. Abandoned originally in 1883(hcc), In Feb. 1887 historian A.J.Davis(ajd) believed the furnace would reopen soon. It has also been reported to have been in operation until after 1890(s&t). Although little remains of the stack, many coke oven exist, as well as retaing walls and other remains are in a flat area(jm). (V)(rp,ph-2004).
Although this furnace is in Clarion county it is more easily reached from Armstrong County. Starting at Kittanning follow SR1033 north to Mosgrove, crossing the south fork of Pine Creek. Go right on SR1034, becomes SR1031 (left) toward Templeton. At the north edge of Templeton turn abruptly left to SR1003, cross Mahoning Creek, and follow this road 4.1 miles to Widnoon and the junction with SR1004. Go left on this road 1.5 miles to its junction with SR1002, then right on this road for 3.4 miles to its end at the junction of Redbank Creek and the Allegheny River. Use care in driving into the parking area at the junction. 40º 58.886'N - 79º 32.970'W. Park here. This is probably going to be the trailhead for the unfinished Armstrong rail trail. Walk across the old railroad bridge (carefully) into Clarion County and turn right at the first path 40º 58.951'N - 79º 333.017'W This will bring you back to the railroad right of way at 40º 58.981'N - 79º 33.007'W. Walk right on the trail paralleling Redbank Creek. About 100 yards from the bridge you will see a level bench on the hillside. Climb up the hill and you will see the remains of old coke ovens and some building foundations. There is a lot of coke in the area. Below the ovens and further up the creek we found what appeared to be the remains of an old millrace. Jim Mayuric found a pair of retaining walls which may have been a part of the furnace complex. Following farther up the creek. When the hill recedes from the trail (approximate coordinates 40º 58.971'N - 79º 30.959'W) go left into the woods. Per S&T in this level area there were many old house foundations. (We did not explore this area in 2004).(P)(V)(rp 2004)
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Richland (aka Katen[Keating]) - is a large pile of stones but recongnizable as a furnace. It is on Turkey Run in Richland Township. Built in 1846 by John Keating of Clarion (and Bencel[jac] or J. Vensel[hcc]). A cold blast, charcoal furnace, steam powered with 8' bosh and 30' high. Average production 550 tons in 1854-1856(hcc). Locally called "Katen" a corruption of Keating(s&t). (P)(V)(rp-1978, rp,km-2004).
Follow PA38 north to Eau Claire in Butler County. Turn right on PA58 and follow through Foxburg and St. Petersburg to Alum Rock in Clarion County. Follow road down across the creek at the bottom of a long hill at Alum Rock. At the intersection of PA58 (right) and SR3020 (left), take SR3020 left to bridge over Turkey Run. Park at the far end of the bridge. Walk across the road to the left. The ruins are about 50 feet to the left against the hillside. A high pile of stones, with a millrace evident.
GPS coordinates 41º 10.046'N - 79º 37.316'W.(rp-2004)
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St, Charles (aka Carr's, Leatherwood, Cocheco) - is along Leatherwood Run in Porter Township. Built in 1834(s&t) or 1844/45(jac) by John and Samuel Wilson of Strattonville as a cold blast water powered charcoal furnace. It was 33' high with a 10' bosh. In 1846 it was purchased by J. & P. Kerr of Clarion. In 1845 and 1847 the production was 1000 tons, and in 1850 2000 tons. Originally a charcoal furnace; used coke from Freeport lower coal for one year, and one year on raw coal from Freeport upper bed. The only Clarion County furnace to use raw coal. In 1857 it was changed to hot blast steam power and coke(s&t).In 1861 it was leased to Michael McCune who operated it until 1865 when it went out of blast(s&t) A quite large number of furnace stone rows remain. (P)(V)(rp-1977, rp,km-2004).
From New Bethlehem follow PA861 west to its junction with SR2007. Turn right on SR2007 for about 400 feet to 41º 01.301'N - 79º 23.317'W. The stack is to the right and about 20 feet below the road in very heavy underbrush in a mostly disheveled condition.
GPS coordinates 41º 01.295'N - 79º 23.302'W.(rp-2004)
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Sarah - East of the site of Catfish Furnace on SR3006 at the village of Sarah Furnace, on Catfish Run.. Built in 1860 by Samuel F. Plumer after he gave up part ownership in Prospect Furnace(jac). Clarion County Histories show also a Jennings, Morey & Co. associated with Sarah Furnace(hcc). Plumer named the furnace after his wife. Sarah Furnace used coke as fuel and was abandoned about 1867(hcc). Coal and slate operations have eliminated most traces of the furnace, however, large slag piles, a retaining wall, millrace and loose stones are scattered about. (P)(V)(rp-2004).
Follow PA68 east from East Brady (5,3 miles) or to the junction with SR3006 to the left. 41º 00.223'N - 79º 33.302'W. Follow SR3006 to the bottom of the hill to where the road turns right to follow the Allegheny River. Cross the bridge over Catfish Run and continue through the Village of Sarah Furnace. Per s&t "When you can see the old coal tipple piers on the hillside to the right you are at the site of Sarah Furnace". We visited this site in Oct. 2004 and found no coal tipple piers on the right anywhere along from Sarah Furnace village to quite far beyond. However at a small run in the village we found the bridge abutments were made of furnace stones, and furnace stones were in the small run 41º 00.485'N - 79º 35.823'W. In the field to the left before the run we found loose furnace stones scattered about, a large stone abutment, perhaps part of the furnace complex, cement squares at ground level that could have been the tipple foundations, plus huge mounds of slag
GPS coordinates 41º 00.456'N - 79º 35.783'W.(rp-2004)
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Shippenville (aka Black's) - Near the junction of Deer Creek and Paint Creek in Elk Township. Built in 1831 or 1832 by Richard Shippen and Jacob Black. It was a hot blast furnace 32' high with a 9' bosh, and was managed by Robert Montgomery and David McKim. In 1837 the owners were listed as Shippen, Black & Co. and 50 hands were working(pbd). It produced 1200 tons in 1845 and 1500 tons in 1859. The iron was shipped to Pittsburgh on flat boats from the lower bridge at Clarion(ajd). Abandoned in 1859. It was associated with the only forge in Clarion County located about a mile down Deer Creek(hcc). The ruins are in a densely wooded area and are covered with brush. (P)(V)(he,rp,km-2004).
Go south on PA66 about 0.3 miles from its intersection with US322 east of Shippenville. Turn right onto Pine Terrace Road. After about 1.3 miles bear right down to a game lands parking lot. Park here.
Walk, or 4wd down the
road to the old bridge (now gone), then turn left and Walk downstream between the stream and the hill but closer to the hill. After about 200 feet you will see the ruins of the furnace close to the hill.
GPS coordinates 41º 14.037'N - 79º 27.107'W.(he-rp-2004)
These coordinates may need to be reconfirmed , although the directions are correct.
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Sligo - On a branch of Licking Creek in Piney Township at village of Sligo. Built in 1845 by Lyon, Shorb &. Co. Named for Sligo, headquarters of the company's iron works in Pittsburgh. Owners were William Lyon of Pittsburgh, J. P. Lyon of Sligo, Anthony Shorb and Thomas McCullough of Sligo. It was a steam powered furnace, originally cold blast, changed to hot blast in 1857. Production in 1845 and 1847 was 1500 tons. Produced 2400 tons rolling mill iron in 1856. Abandoned 1871(hcc). Sligo flowed their metal into "chill"s, and shipped their iron to Pittsburgh from Crary's Dam at Callensburg(ajd). The furnace is no longer visible, In the 1960's the site was covered by a loading dock of a Pennzoil bulk plant(s&t), however this plant is now gone and newer residential areas cover the spot (V)(rp-2005)
To reach this point go east from Callensburg on PA58 to Sligo. At the western edge of town the road crosses a bridge. Just over the bridge and to the left, in the 1960's, there was a large old frame building that at one time was a grist mill. In back of this building was a tall square brick chimney, which was the chimney for the old furnace boiler house. Beside this old mill was a Pennzoil Bulk Plant. The old furnace site was at the location of the truck loading ramp(s&t). In 2005 this entire area was residential and no traces of the old site remain.(rp)
Approximate coordinates 41º 07.31'N - 79º 30.62'W.
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Tippecanoe - is along Canoe Creek in Beaver Township about 1.5 miles above Eagle Furnace. Was built by Black and Maxwell in 1844. Named for "Tippecanoe and Tyler Too", the furnace was a cold blast steam powered plant. It was operated by King and Maxwell, producing 1000 tons in 1845 and 1847. It was abandoned in 1851(hcc). The remains consist of a short pile of stones (P)(V)(rp-1978, rp/he-2004).
Follow PA338 south 2.9 miles from its junction with PA208 in Knox. Turn east (left) on SR4005 and go 1-3/4 miles to its junction with Thompson Hills Road (T416) to the right. About 70 feet before crossing the bridge over Canoe Creek you can see the ruins to the right about 40 feet from the road.
GPS coordinates 41º 11.404'N - 79º 30.959'W.(rp-2004)
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Washington -
Is on a branch off Piney Creek near the junction of Limestone, Monroe and Clarion townships west of Mechanicsville and about1/2 mile north of Monroe Furnace. Was built in 1846 by D. Long & H. Blackstone. This steam powered cold blast furnace stood 30' high with an 8.5' bosh, and one tuyere. Production in 1846 and 1847 was 1000 tons and it produced 706 tons in the spring of 1885(hcc) (1855-s&t), before it was blown out(hcc). The iron was shipped to Pittsburgh in flat boats from the lower bridge in Clarion(ajd). The furnace was in good condition until 1930 when the WPA took stones for a bridge abutment(s&t). However much remains, and a well preserved lime kiln is nearby. (P)(V)(rp,km-2004)
Follow SR1007 south from Clarion
to Mechanicsville, about 4 miles. Turn west (right) on Brook Road (SR2014)
Go about 2.25 miles or to a gated road on the left at 41º 09.611'N - 79º 22.303'W.
Park here. Walk around the gate, cross the creek, and into the woods on the right to the furnace. The furnace is in poor condition but stands about 15 feet high with parts of all four sides still standing, much slag abounds and a millrace and wheel pit are present.
GPS coordinates 41º 09.565'N - 79º 22.287'W (rp-2004)
According to residents of the area, if you returned east on Brook Road about 0.8 miles to a pole building on the right, and crossed the creek near this point you would come upon a lime kiln (maybe 2), which could have been mistaken for the Furnace in the s&t's account. I believe this was the location we visited in 1978 and identified as a lime kiln near Washington furnace.
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Wildcat (aka Franklin) - Is on Wildcat Creek in Madison Township south of Rimersburg Borough. Frick and Lawson built this furnace in 1843. It later was sold to John L. Miller of Pittsburgh and James M. Freeman of Clarion County. A steam powered, cold blast charcoal furnace it had a 7.5' bosh and was 28' high. Production was 1000 tons in 1845 and 1380 tons in 1847. It was blown out in 1857 and abandoned in 1863(hcc/s&t). Only a pile of stones and rubble remain. (P)(V)(rp,ph-2004).
Follow PA68 to Rimersburg. Turn south on PA861 about 1.8 miles. Park opposite a house on the left just before the bridge over Wildcat Run. This is the home of Bill Ramsey. The furnace remains are on his property so seek permission to look at the site. The ruins stand on the west side of the road down the hillside about 30 feet down over the edge of the well maintained meadow opposite the Ramsey home.
GPS Coordinates 41º 01.466N - 79º 28.850'W. (P)(V)(rrp 2004)
Only a pile of stones and rubble about 15 feet high remain. Slag may be seen in the field across the road and along the creek bank.
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Clarion County Special Sources:
The Old Stone Blast Furnace in Western Pennsylvania, by Myron B. Sharp and William H.
Thomas(s&t) and published by the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania, 1965 and 1966.
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Caldwell's Illustrated Historical Combination Atlas of Clarion Co. Pa. J. A. Caldwell(jac) 1877*
History of Pennsylvania 1847, I. D. Rupp(idr)*
Christian Myers, Migrant Iron Master and Founder of Clarion Co. Paul E. Beck(peb) Western
Pennsylvania Genealogical Society Journal, undated.*
History of Clarion County, unknown compiler, cir 1976 (hcc)*
History of Clarion County A. J. Davis (ajd) ed. 1887*
Unspecified Clarion Co. Sources from asterisk list above.(unk)
Convention of Ironmasters publication, Philadelphia 1849(cim)
Bill Ramsey and Wilbur Bauer(wb), Helen Furnace restoration
Scott Heberling(sh), Archaeological Mitigation Report-Clarion Furnace
Jim Mayuric(jem), Armstrong Co. Redbank Furnace pictures
Your source for Western Pennsylvania Iron Furnace Information
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Parks
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