Near Spring Garden in Cherokee County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Rock Run Furnace

Photographed by Angela Nichols, March 13, 2018

1. Rock Run Furnace Marker

Inscription. Put into blast on June 1, 1874, the furnace would change ownership two times prior to being purchased by the Bass Foundry and Machine Co. of Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1880. A rail spur was built from the furnace to Selma, Rome and Dalton Railroad at Pleasant Gap. Much of the iron was sent north to be used in the manufacturing of rail car wheels. After almost 54 years of continuous operation, the furnace was blown out on Christmas Eve 1928. Dismantling began immediately. The Commissary and a few employee houses are all that remain today.

Erected by Cherokee County Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Appalachian Iron Furnaces series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 1, 1874.

Location. 34° 1.695′ N, 85° 29.623′ W. Marker is near Spring Garden, Alabama, in Cherokee County. It is at the intersection of County Route 29 and County Route 45, on the right when traveling north on County Route 29. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Piedmont AL 36272, United

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States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Alabama and specifically in North Alabama.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Site of Bluffton (approx. 3 miles away); Spring Garden School (approx. 4.1 miles away); Spring Garden (approx. 5.1 miles away); Carmel Presbyterian Church (approx. 6½ miles away); Ladiga Cavalry Skirmish (approx. 6.7 miles away); Cherokee County's Paul Revere (approx. 7.8 miles away); Dugger Mountain (approx. 9.4 miles away); The Alabama Tennessee River Railroad (approx. 9.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spring Garden.

Photographed by Angela Nichols, March 13, 2018

2. Rock Run Furnace Marker

Photographed by Angela Nichols, March 13, 2018

3. Commissary

Credits. This page was last revised on February 9, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 10, 2018, by Angela Nichols of Centre, Alabama. This page has been viewed 2,062 times since then and 278 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 13, 2018, by Angela Nichols of Centre, Alabama. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.