Near Ashland in Greenup County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Bellefonte Furnace
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Iron Made in Kentucky
Photographed by J. J. Prats, September 30, 2018
1. Bellefonte Furnace side of marker
Bellefonte Furnace. The 96th blast furnace built in Hanging Rock Region since 1818. Considered most highly perfected in existence when erected, 1942, by Armco Steel Corp., with hearth 25 feet across, producing 1000 tons of iron daily, later increased to 2600 tons, with 28Ύ foot hearth. Named for pioneer charcoal-fueled furnace a mile south.
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 1149.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Appalachian Iron Furnaces, and the Kentucky Historical Society series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1818.
Location. 38° 29.953′ N, 82° 40.514′ W.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Kentucky’s Kyova Tri-State Region. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in the Ohio River Valley, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A First in Steel (approx. 0.7 miles away); a different marker also named Bellefonte Furnace / Iron Made in Kentucky (approx. 0.9 miles away); Amanda Furnace / Iron Made in Kentucky (approx. 1.2 miles away); Woodland Cemetery Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.3 miles away
Photographed by J. J. Prats, September 30, 2018
2. Iron Made in Kentucky side of marker
Regarding Bellefonte Furnace / Iron Made in Kentucky. Iron (and steel) are still made right here in sight of this marker at the Ashland Works of AK Steel, the latest name for the American Rolling Mill Company (Armco). This facility opened in 1922.
Photographed by J. J. Prats, September 30, 2018
3. Bellefonte Furnace / Iron Made in Kentucky Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on October 30, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 16, 2018, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 890 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 16, 2018, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
