Robeson Township near Geigertown in Berks County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Ore Roaster

Photographed By Carl Gordon Moore Jr., October 10, 2020

1. Ore Roaster Marker

Inscription. The Ore Roaster was added in the Fall of 1888 to help reduce the sulfur content of lower grade ore. This processed ore greatly reduced the smelting time when placed in the Furnace. The end result was a better quality iron.

Charged with alternate layers of charcoal and iron ore, the Ore Roaster was fired for 24 hours. At the end of the roasting, the ore was removed from the bottom of the Ore Roaster.

The clay-lined Ore Roaster was 10 feet 8 inches in diameter.

[photo caption] Close up view of the Ore Roaster.
Photo: 1932 - Hagley Museum Library

[photo caption] Situated to the right of the Casting House, the Ore Roaster was designed to reduce impurities such as sulfur, phosphorous, oxides, etc. from low grade iron ore.
Photo: 1932 - Hagley Museum Library

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1888.

Location. 40° 11.432′ N, 75° 53.186′ W. Marker is near Geigertown, Pennsylvania, in Berks County. It is in Robeson Township. Marker can be reached from Furnace Road, half a mile east of Morgantown Road (Pennsylvania Route 10), on the right when traveling east. You will be facing east if you face this marker. This is behind the "Joanna Furnace Industrial

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Complex" marker, off camera to right. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1250 Furnace Rd, Morgantown PA 19543, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Joanna Furnace Industrial Complex (a few steps from this marker); Joanna Furnace Mansion Site (within shouting distance of this marker); Office / Store (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Charcoal Barn (about 300 feet away); Blacksmith Shop (about 300 feet away); In Honor of the Men from Caenarvon Township (approx. 2.1 miles away); The Caernarvon Presbyterian Church (approx. 5.4 miles away); Alleghany Mennonite Meetinghouse (approx. 5½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Geigertown.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2020, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. This page has been viewed 285 times since then and 56 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on October 19, 2020, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.