Near Russell in Greenup County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Amanda Furnace / Iron Made in Kentucky
Amanda Furnace. A stone stack 35 feet high, 10 feet across inside, built in 1829 by James E. McDowell, John Culver, John H., Edwin P., Robert C., and William L. Poage; later owned by the Paull family, buried on the hillside above. In 196 days of 1838 made 100 tons of iron. Produced 200 tons in 1854, its last year of operation.
Iron Made in Kentucky. A major producer since 1791, Kentucky ranked 3rd is U.S. in 1830s, 11th in 1965. Charcoal timber, native ore, limestone supplied material for numerous furnaces making pig iron, utensils, munitions in the Hanging Rock, Red River, Between Rivers, Rolling Fork, and Green River Regions. Old charcoal furnace era ended by depletion of ore and timber and the growth of railroads.
Erected 1968 by Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky Department of Highways, and Armco Steel Corp. (Marker Number 1142.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Appalachian Iron Furnaces, and the Kentucky Historical Society series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1829.
Location. 38° 30.929′ N, 82° 40.983′ W. Marker is near Russell, Kentucky, in Greenup County. Marker is on U.S. 23 west of Ashland Drive (Kentucky Route 1725), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1700 US-23, Russell KY 41169, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A First in Steel (approx. half a mile away); Ironton Tanks / Tanks Memorial Stadium (approx. 0.9 miles away in Ohio); Tanks Memorial Stadium Opening Day Nov. 25, 1926 (approx. one mile away in Ohio); Bellefonte Furnace / Iron Made in Kentucky (approx. 1.2 miles away); Unger's Shoes (approx. 1.3 miles away in Ohio); The Hanging Rock Iron Region / The Blast Furnaces of Lawrence County (approx. 1.4 miles away in Ohio); This Cornerstone From Old Jail (approx. 1.4 miles away in Ohio); Lawrence County Viet-Nam Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.4 miles away in Ohio).
Regarding Amanda Furnace / Iron Made in Kentucky. “The hillside above” is across the highway and covered in trees.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 5, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 18, 2018, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 559 times since then and 70 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 18, 2018, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.