Rockcastle in Trigg County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Center Furnace / Iron Made in Kentucky
Photographed By Tom Bosse, July 4, 2019
1. Center Furnace Marker (Side 1)
Center Furnace
Sometimes called Hematite, furnace was built by 1852 by Daniel Hillman 2 1/2 mi. west; 35 ft. high, 10 ft. across inside at widest point. Operated, although not continuously, until 1912, burning charcoal fuel. Its air blast was powered by steam. In 46 weeks of 1856, it produced 2,139 1/2 tons of pig iron, mostly shipped by steamboat to fabricators.
Iron Made in Kentucky
A major producer since 1791, Ky. ranked 3rd in US 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, Green River Regions. Charcoal-furnace era ended in 1880s with depletion of ore and timber and use of modern methods. Over.
Erected 1970 by Kentucky Historical Society & Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 1366.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1852.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Empire Furnace / Iron Made in Kentucky (a few steps from this marker); Trigg Furnace / Iron Made in Kentucky (within shouting distance of this marker); Tenn. Rolling Mills (approx. 4.4 miles away); Site of Burnett Home (approx. 6.1 miles away); County Named, 1820 (approx. 6.1 miles away); Trigg County War Memorial (approx. 6.1 miles away); Courthouse Burned (approx. 6.1 miles away); Trigg County Confederate Memorial (approx. 6.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rockcastle.
Also see . . . Center Furnace in Land Between the Lakes. (Submitted on July 16, 2019, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)
Photographed By Tom Bosse, July 4, 2019
2. Center Furnace Marker (Side 2)
Photographed By Tom Bosse, July 4, 2019
3. Center Furnace Marker
Photographed By Tom Bosse, July 4, 2019
4. Center Furnace Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 18, 2019. It was originally submitted on July 16, 2019, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 158 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 16, 2019, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
