Near Hohenwald in Lewis County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Steele's Iron Works

Photographed By Duane Hall, June 4, 2015

1. Steele's Iron Works Marker

Inscription. Here, about 1820, stood a charcoal-burning furnace used to manufacture pig iron. All that remain of this pioneer enterprise are a slag pile and the evidence of a mill race, used to bring water from Buffalo River to operate the furnace’s air blasting machinery.

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Natchez Trace series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1820.

Location. 35° 27.814′ N, 87° 28.744′ W. Marker is near Hohenwald, Tennessee, in Lewis County. Marker can be reached from Metal Ford Road, half a mile west of Natchez Trace Parkway. Marker is accessed at the Metal Ford turnoff from the Natchez Trace Parkway at Mile Marker 382.8; marker is at the end of Metal Ford Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hohenwald TN 38462, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Metal Ford (within shouting distance of this marker); Meriwether Lewis: Life Compass (approx. 3.3 miles away); The Natchez Trace – Early American Trail (approx. 3.3 miles away); Grinder House (approx. 3.3 miles away); Natchez Trace

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(approx. 3.4 miles away); Meriwether Lewis (approx. 3½ miles away); This Monument Marks The Old Natchez Trace (approx. 6 miles away); The Old Natchez Trace (approx. 6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hohenwald.

Also see . . . Natchez Trace. Official National Park Service website. (Submitted on June 24, 2015.)

Photographed By Duane Hall, June 4, 2015

2. Steele's Iron Works Marker

Photographed By Duane Hall, June 4, 2015

3. Steele's Iron Works Marker

Trail Sign for Steele's Iron Works image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, June 4, 2015

4. Trail Sign for Steele's Iron Works

The Start of the Trail image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, June 4, 2015

5. The Start of the Trail

The trail travels clockwise

Possible Location of Steele's Iron Works image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, June 4, 2015

6. Possible Location of Steele's Iron Works

Metal Ford Exhibit image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, June 4, 2015

7. Metal Ford Exhibit

Trail near Mill Race Informational Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, June 4, 2015

8. Trail near Mill Race Informational Sign

Photographed By Duane Hall, June 4, 2015

9. Mill Race

The trail to your right follows the MILL RACE that once brought water from the Buffalo River to the furnace.

Mill Race Inlet from Buffalo River image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, June 4, 2015

10. Mill Race Inlet from Buffalo River

Mill Race Heading Down River image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, June 4, 2015

11. Mill Race Heading Down River

Trail near Slag Pile Informational Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, June 4, 2015

12. Trail near Slag Pile Informational Sign

Photographed By Duane Hall, June 4, 2015

13. Slag Pile

We do not know the exact location of Steele’s Iron Works because no remnants of the furnace have been found. This SLAG PILE, on the bottom and side of the mill race, suggests that the smelting furnace might have been located here.

The End of the Trail image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, June 4, 2015

14. The End of the Trail

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 24, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 536 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. submitted on June 24, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.