Return to the bridge and go right on the trail to a junction (a total of about 0.5 miles from the parking area) where the right hand fork leads to a railing around the top of a lime kiln for the furnace. GPS 40º 55.808'N - 80º 13.946'W (Kiln 40 ft. east). The left fork descends steeply to the lime kiln entrance in the cliff to the right. GPS 40º 55.811'N - 80º 13.911'W. (Kiln 30 ft. to south). The kiln is just a large hole in the ground, with an interior lining of fire brick. You can crawl inside the kiln at the bottom. Wooden steps continue downward and dead-end at the base of Hell's Hollow Falls. This is a very beautiful area. GPS Coordinates 40º 55.771'N - 80º 13.924'W.(rp July 2004)
Thanks to Hank Edenborn for his research which led us to the correct location of Lawrence Furnace.
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Martha - was in Newcastle, Union Township. It was a cold blast, water powered charcoal furnace built by Theodore Powers in 1844. Much industrial activity has eliminated all signs of this operation.
Myra - was on Taylor Run in Plain Grove Township. Emory and Culbertson erected this furnace about 1853-1855. It was operated successfully by them until 1870, when involvement in other less successful furnaces so drained their resources that they were forced to close down Myra. The furnace was demolished and a private swimming pool built on its site. Between the pool and the creek are large quantities of slag. Along the creek bank the slag had a depth of 3 to 4 feet. A man
who lived nearby said that when the pool was being built, many of the furnace stones and a large salamander were uncovered. They were used for fill in other areas. This man had a couple of pigs that he dug up at that time(s&t).
Go south on US19 from PA208 intersection in Leesburg 4-1/2 miles to a blacktop road to the left (Graystown Road SR1018). Follow this 2.5 mile. Turn right into a lane just before reaching a bridge over Taylor Run, and follow this lane about 200 yards to the swimming pool and adjacent house. The swimming pool occupies the furnace site. Much slag is in the creek, along the banks, and between the pool and the creek.
Coordinates 41º 03.600'N - 80º 09.650'W.
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Neshannock (aka Powers) - is on Neshannock Creek in Wilmington Township. This furnace was built between 1850 and 1852 by W. G. and C. A. Powers. It was operated for 10 to 12 years. The salamander had been uncovered, and part of the stack above it(s&t). About six or seven rows of stones on the back wall remain plus a pile of stones and rubble about 15' high. All the rest has been removed for other construction. A millrace is visible in front of the remains. It appears that a road was in front of the furnace at one time and the furnace may have been torn down to build the road. Many furnace stones are evident in home construction and landscaping in the area near the furnace for other construction. (P)(V)(rp-1978, rp,ph-2004)
From the junction of PA56 and PA956 in Wilmington, proceed south and east on PA956 for just short of 4 miles where you will see what appears to be an old school house on the left. It is being added to and upgraded in the back. Look to the right and continue past two houses and then an old barn to a telephone pole on the right, about 100-200 yards past the schoolhouse. Park here. 41º 04.929'N - 80º 17.924'W. Walk directly to the edge of the woods and the hill 41º 04.903'N - 80º 17.907'W. Look over the top of the hill and you will see the remains of the furnace. Find a path going diagonally right and down to a meadow 41º 04.877'N - 80º 17.964'W Turn left on a path back to near the top of the furnace(rp/ph).(The salamander has been uncovered, and part of the stack above it [S&T}). About six or seven rows of stones on the back wall remain plus a pile of stones and rubble about 15' high. All the rest has been removed for other construction. A millrace is visible in front of the remains. It appears that a road was in front of the furnace at one time and the furnace may have been torn down to build the road. Many furnace stones are evident in home construction and landscaping in the area near the furnace
GPS 41º 04.873'N - 80º 17.902'W. (furnace 20 feet below)(rrp July 2004)
Another route would be to go to Harlansburg on US19. Just north of where US19 and PA108 intersect, turn west on PA956. Follow this road approximately 7 miles to the location described above.
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Sophia - was south of Neshannock Creek, in Newcastle, Union Township. It was built in 1853 by a Mr. McCormick who, the year before, had become the proprietor of Peeble and Company, iron manufacturers, in New Castle. In 1863 the business became the Shenango Iron Works; the stone stack was remodeled; in 1876 the Shenango Iron Works occupied 20 acres of ground in the Fourth Ward in New Castle and consisted of three blast furnaces plus other facilities.
Sophia was South of Neshannock Creek about two blocks east of Jefferson Street and just about where Mercer Street would be if it crossed the creek. The area is covered with industrial development now and no trace remains.
Wampum - was in the town of Wampum in Wayne Township. Porter R. Friend and Company built the furnace in 1856. A steam powered hot blast furnace, using raw coal and coke. It was sold to Kimberly and Company in 1866 and went out of blast sometime after 1877. Nothing remains of Wampum or the coke ovens nearby(s&t).
Take PA18 to the town of Wampum. As you enter the community from the south bear right on T482(?). The road goes under two railroad bridges . The furnace site was to the left and between the two. The railroad embankments cover the entire site.The coke ovens which were beyond the northernmost track have been replaced by houses and other buildings(s&t).
Approximate coordinates 40º 53.22'N - 80º 20.21'W.
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Wilroy (aka Willis Roy) - Is the most well preserved furnace in Lawrence County, on Slippery Rock Creek in Slippery Rock Township. The furnace was built by John Carlysle Stewart and Foltz about 1854. It was named after two of Mr. Foltz' sons. It was sold to Smith and Collins, who in turn leased it to Martin Wilson. In 1877 it had been out of blast for years. It was built of cut stone and has three triangular openings. There are at least three setbacks. It is possible to go into the stack and look up through the bosh.The stone lining is shiny due to the stone melting from the heat(s&t/yv). (P)(V)(rp-1978, rp,ph-2004).
Turn west on US422 and go about 0.9 mile to a blacktop road on the right (old 422). Follow this road around to the entrance to a campground on the left, about 0.1 mile. 40º 58.250'N - 80º 10.767'W. This is the Wilroy Furnace Campground. Call ahead to Phil or Irene Skeleski, 724-363-3766 to seek permission to cross the campgrounds. Go to the right down to the edge of the campground and the hillside down to the creek and you will see the furnace about 40 feet below. GPS coordinates 40º 58.240'N - 80º 10.832'W. (rrp 2004). A path takes you down to the furnace base.
Resist the temptation to go to the barricaded bridge over Slippery Rock Creek and walk south downstream to the furnace. The area is posted "No Trespassing" and the owner is very serious.
Lawrence County Special Sources:
www.dcnr.state.pa.us/topogeo/ParkGuides/pg4_9/Site2.aspx (lpg)
The Youngstown Vindicator, Sunday, March 23, 1980 (yv)
Your source for Western Pennsylvania Iron Furnace Information
Web Page Written and Maintained by Richard
Parks
Copyright © Richard Parks, April 2008 |
