Fitchburg in Estill County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Fitchburg Furnace
June 26, 2015
1. Fitchburg Furnace Marker
"Give er fire." This cry ran through the woods as colliers tended huge piles of charring wood, which would be used as fuel at Fitchburg Furnace. Colliers, men who made charcoal, built many coal pits or hearths throughout the mountains during the summer months. A master collier and one or two helpers might work seven to nine pits at a time. Once fired, they had to be tended day and night so that the wood would not ignite and burn completely away. The trees marked with orange bands contain about three cords of wood, which makes enough charcoal to fire the furnace for two hours, long enough to produce about one cubic foot of pig iron. During the summer the furnace ran continuously requiring 30-40 cords of wood from 25-30 year old growth per day. Some furnaces consumed the yield of an acre of woodland a day. Clearcutting went on year-round to provide enough wood for the charring season.Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1868.
Location. 37° 43.996′ N, 83° 51.166′ W. Marker is in Fitchburg, Kentucky
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named Fitchburg Furnace (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Fitchburg Furnace (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Fitchburg Furnace (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Fitchburg Furnace (within shouting distance of this marker); Red River Iron Works / Iron Made in Kentucky (approx. 3.1 miles away); Estill Springs (approx. 6.9 miles away); Estill Seminary / Collegiate Institute (approx. 7 miles away); County Named, 1808 (approx. 7.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fitchburg.
Regarding Fitchburg Furnace. Red River Iron Furnace is #74000860 on the National Register of Historic Places.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Additional keywords. Red River Iron Furnace
June 26, 2015
2. Fitchburg Furnace
June 26, 2015
3. Fitchburg Furnace
Photographed By Frank Profitt, March 20, 2021
4. Fitchburg Furnace
Photographed By Frank Profitt, March 20, 2021
5. Fitchburg Furnace
Credits. This page was last revised on March 22, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 30, 2019. This page has been viewed 205 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 30, 2019. 4, 5. submitted on March 21, 2021, by Frank Profitt of Georgetown, Kentucky. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
