Near Raceland in Greenup County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Caroline Furnace / Iron Made in Kentucky
Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 30, 2018
1. Caroline Furnace face of marker
Caroline Furnace. Stood 1½ mi. south. Built 1833 by Henry, Blake & Co. Stone stack was 35 ft. high, with a maximum inner diameter of 10 ft.; burned charcoal. Air blast powered by steam. In 1838, produced 750 tons of iron, consuming 2062 tons of ore, 225,000 bushels of charcoal. Made 1200 tons of iron, 1857. Furnace operated until 1890.
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 1132.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources
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Location. 38° 32.501′ N, 82° 44.805′ W. Marker is near Raceland, Kentucky, in Greenup County. Marker is at the intersection of U.S. 23 and Legion Drive, on the right when traveling east on U.S. 23. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Russell KY 41169, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Race Track (within shouting distance of this marker); Camp Swigert (approx. 1.9 miles away); Wurtland Union Church (approx. 2 miles away); Iron made in Kentucky / Steam Furnace (approx. 2.1 miles away); McConnell House Complex (approx. 2.4 miles away); John M. McConnell House (approx. 2.4 miles away); City of Ironton (approx. 3.2 miles away in Ohio); John Campbell Memorial Home (approx. 3.4 miles away in Ohio).
Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 30, 2018
2. Iron Made in Kentucky side of marker
Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 30, 2018
3. Caroline Furnace / Iron Made in Kentucky Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 2, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 16, 2018, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 228 times since then and 66 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 16, 2018, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
