Oak Ridge Furnace was constructed between 1856-57 in the Hanging Rock Iron Region of Ohio.
Oak Ridge Furnace was constructed between 1856 and August 1857 1 by H. Allison in the Hanging Rock Iron Region of Ohio. 2 3 4 Owned by Stetson, Bishop, W. W. Mather, first state geologist of Ohio, and O. M. Mitchell, 2 3 5 it had a stack 44 feet in height with a bosh 11 feet wide. 2 Originally fueled by charcoal, its hot air blast was converted to run on coal in May 1858, which allowed for a daily capacity of 15 tons. 5 Further 1857, the furnace produced 450 tons of iron.
Oak Ridge Furnace failed to generate profit and was subsequently sold to John Campbell and N. Ricker before being sold to the Hecla Furnace operator and others. 3 It closed by 1859, and components were sent to Star Furnace in Jackson.
Directions: Oak Ridge Furnace is located on private property along County Route 5 (Elkins Creek Road) near Aid, Ohio.
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Sources
- Rowe, Frank H. “Franklin Furnace.” History of the Iron and Steel Industry in Scioto County, Ohio. Columbus: F.J. Heer, 1938. 80-82. Print.
- Markiel, J. Old Industry 2006. Articles.
- Kouns, Sharon M. “Iron Furnaces.” The Lawrence Register.
- “Oak Ridge Furnace.” Briggs Lawrence County Public Library.
- Willard, Eugene B., Daniel W. Williams, George O. Newman, and Charles B. Taylor. “The Iron Industries.” A Standard History of the Hanging Rock Iron Region of Ohio. Lewis Publishing Company, 1916, pp. 265-289.
