Union Township near Elverson in Berks County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Anthracite Furnace
A new ironmaking method
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 4, 2009
1. Anthracite Furnace Marker
In 1853, the Hopewell partners built a hot-blast anthracite furnace here. This new furnace did not burn charcoal but used anthracite coal to smelt iron — an attempt to reduce fuel costs and increase iron production.
Hopewell's anthracite furnace operated for less than four years. By 1857, furnace machinery had been removed and was installed on a new furnace on the Schuylkill Canal. This suggests that the cost of hauling coal made the furnace operation uneconomical.
[Photograph caption]
There are no historical photographs of Hopewell's anthracite furnace. However, this 1848 hot-blast anthracite furnace in Boonton, New Jersey is similar to the one that once stood here.
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources. In addition, it is included in the Appalachian Iron Furnaces series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.
Location. 40° 12.341′ N, 75° 46.489′ W. Marker is near Elverson, Pennsylvania, in Berks County. It is in Union Township. Marker can be reached from Mark Bird Lane. Marker is next to the hot-blast furnace ruins on the grounds of Hopewell Furnace National
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Cooling Shed (a few steps from this marker); Charcoal Kilns (within shouting distance of this marker); Charcoal Pit (within shouting distance of this marker); Headraces (within shouting distance of this marker); Ironmaster's Garden (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Warwick Furnace (approx. 3.1 miles away); Colonel Thomas Bull (approx. 3.9 miles away); Swedish Pioneers (approx. 4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elverson.
Also see . . . Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site. (Submitted on October 30, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 4, 2009
2. Anthracite Furnace and Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 30, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 983 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 30, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
