The Pioneer Furnace stands as a vestige of the once-thriving iron industry that proliferated across the Hanging Rock Iron Region, encompassing southern Ohio, northeastern Kentucky, and western West Virginia.
The Pioneer Furnace stands as a vestige of the once-thriving iron industry that proliferated across the Hanging Rock Iron Region, encompassing southern Ohio, northeastern Kentucky, and western West Virginia. This particular structure, erected between 1856 and 1857 by William Colvin, U. Tracy, and associates, boasted an imposing stack reaching 45 feet in height, with a substantial bosh measuring 14 feet wide. Pioneering the use of stone coal as fuel within the state, its hot air blast was propelled by a steam engine, enabling a remarkable daily production capacity of 12 tons. The furnace remained operational until the late 1870s, a testament to its robust construction.
For over two years, I have undertaken a relentless quest to locate this elusive remnant of our industrial heritage. Obscured by the dense foliage and towering trees, the furnace evaded my search efforts. It was not until I scoured the banks of a retention pond that I stumbled upon the crumbling edifice. While the furnace is still intact, with a stack that remains in a commendable state of preservation and remnants of slag dotting the ground, there is little else surrounding it to indicate that this site was once a bustling industrial hub.
The discovery of the Pioneer Furnace serves as a poignant reminder of the region’s storied past, a time when the fires of industry burned bright, fueling the growth and prosperity that shaped our nation. Yet, in its present solitude, it stands as a silent sentinel, bearing witness to the relentless march of progress and the ever-changing landscapes that accompany it.
1 Comment
Add Yours →According to Google Maps, it’s off of Brady Fork rd. near SR 93, looks like a good place for a hike.