Near Marietta in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Hot-Blast Stove Bases

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 7, 2019

1. Hot-Blast Stove Bases Marker

Inscription. In the early 1830s the "hot blast" process of using anthracite coal to manufacture iron was introduced. The gases from the furnace were captured and cleaned. The gas was introduced into the vertical stoves. The Stoves were steel cylinders that were lined with honey combed fire brick. The gas was ignited. The heat produced was used to blow the heated air into the "bustle pipe" which circled the base of the furnace. The hot air was blown into the furnace via "tuyeres" or nozzles inserted into the furnace base. The air raised the temperature of the furnace. This reduced the amount of raw material used and increased the output of the furnace. There were four or five stoves at the Musselman/Vesta Furnace. Some of the brick bases are still visible.

[Caption:]
The picture at the right shows one of these brick bases. These bases held the stoves that reached fifty feet. At the left of the stove base, is the opening that lead to the chimney exhaust tunnel. These tunnels allowed the stove to exhaust after the hot air was exhausted.

Erected by Rivertownes PA USA; Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority. (Marker

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Number 4.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1830.

Location. 40° 3.509′ N, 76° 32.114′ W. Marker is near Marietta, Pennsylvania, in Lancaster County. It can be reached from Robert Mowrer Drive south of Furnace Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Robert Mowrer Drive, Marietta PA 17547, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Pennsylvania, specifically in Pennsylvania Dutch Country,

and in the Susquehanna Valley.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Stone Base of the Chimney (here, next to this marker); Skip Hoist / Oil Shed (a few steps from this marker); The Pennsylvania Canal

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 7, 2019

2. Hot-Blast Stove Bases Marker

(a few steps from this marker); Concrete Railroad Piers (a few steps from this marker); Frick Stationary Steam Engine (within shouting distance of this marker); Musselman / Vesta Furnace (within shouting distance of this marker); Donegal Place (within shouting distance of this marker); Musselman / Vesta Iron Furnace Office Building (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Marietta.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 8, 2019. It was originally submitted on July 8, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 362 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 8, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.