Near Forks of Cacapon in Hampshire County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Bloomery Iron Furnace
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Bloomery Gap Skirmish
August 31, 2008
1. Bloomery Iron Furnace Marker
Bloomery Iron Furnace. The furnace was built, 1833, by Thomas Pastly and later was owned by Lewis Passmor. He placed a Mr. Cornwell in charge who operated it until 1848 when it was sold to S. A. Pancost. He and his heirs operated it until 1875 when the furnace was closed down. It was operated for a short time in 1880-1881. Annual capacity was 8500 tons. The iron was carried on rafts and flatboats down the Cacapon River.
Bloomery Gap Skirmish. February 14, 1862, Brigadier General Frederick W. Lander, commanding the 5th and 8th Ohio, 14th Indiana Infantry, and 400 men of the 1st West Virginia Cavalry, attacked a Confederate brigade of the 31st, 51st, 67th, and 89th Virginia Militia under Colonel J. Sencendiver. The Confederates were routed and fled toward Winchester. Lander returned to his camp at Paw Paw and Sencendiver again occupied Bloomery Gap.
Erected 1963 by West Virginia Historic Commission.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Appalachian Iron Furnaces, and the West Virginia Archives and History
this page online
Location. 39° 24.498′ N, 78° 24.114′ W. Marker is near Forks of Cacapon, West Virginia, in Hampshire County. It is on Bloomery Pike (West Virginia Route 127), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 14351 Bloomery Pike, Great Cacapon WV 25422, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Eastern Panhandle. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Caudys Castle (approx. 0.8 miles away); Fight at Bloomery Gap (approx. 2.1 miles away); Pinoak Fountain (approx. 3.4 miles away); Hampshire County / Virginia (approx. 4 miles away); Overlook at Cacapon State Park (approx. 5.3
August 31, 2008
2. Bloomery Gap Skirmish Marker
More about this marker. The area around the furnace is moderately grown over with vegetation, the gate is locked and access is tight. Marker cannot be seen from the road anymore.
Also see . . .
1. Bloomery. The Crossings website entry:
found within "History of Hampshire County and The Crossings at the Great Cacapon". (Submitted on August 31, 2008.)
2. Bloomery Gap - Official Reports of Gen. Lander and Col. Sencendiver. Romney Campaign Simulation website entry (Submitted on August 31, 2008.)
Additional commentary.
1. Parking Near the Furnace
Please note that there isn't a designated parking area to view the marker or the furnace. This is located on a semi-busy two lane highway. Care should be used when pulling in and out of the area.
— Submitted April 19, 2022, by Lora Wilson of Paw Paw, West Virginia.
August 31, 2008
3. Bloomery Iron Furnace Marker
August 31, 2008
4. Bloomery Iron Furnace
Photographed by Lora Wilson, April 16, 2022
5. Bloomery Iron Furnace
Photographed by Lora Wilson, April 16, 2022
6. Bloomery Iron Furnace
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, June 7, 2024
7. Bloomery Gap Skirmish Marker
Far away shot showing moderate vegetation growth.
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, June 7, 2024
8. Bloomery Iron Furnace
Note locked gate and overgrowth of the area.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 31, 2008. This page has been viewed 5,190 times since then and 134 times this year. Last updated on September 2, 2008. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 31, 2008. 5, 6. submitted on April 19, 2022, by Lora Wilson of Paw Paw, West Virginia. 7, 8. submitted on June 7, 2024, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
