Estill Furnace

Constructed in 1830 by Thomas Dye Owings, Estill Furnace was located in the Red River Iron Region of Estill County, Kentucky. This furnace, with a 34-foot-high stack and a 10-foot-wide bosh, had a production capacity of seven tons per day. ²

After its construction, Owings sold Estill Furnace to Resin H. Gist and James Mason. They operated it until between 1832 and 1833, when it was sold to a group of investors including Samuel G. Jackson, Samuel Wheeler, Luther Mason, and John C. Mason. This group later sold the furnace to another set of investors: Andrew Laywell, Josiah A. Jackson, W.G. Jackson, and Weeden Smith. ²

In 1849, Estill Furnace was rebuilt. Following Smith’s death, the partnership dissolved, leading to Josiah Jackson acquiring the furnace. He subsequently sold it to the Red River Iron Manufacturing Company in 1863. ² The furnace reopened in 1865 for rebuilding and resumed operations in 1868, continuing until 1874.

Directions: Estill Furnace can be viewed along KY Routes 213 and 1057 in Estill County, Kentucky.