Civil War
When the Civil War began in 1861, the industrial capacity of the Northern states was more developed than the South. The Union's industrialization was essential to its victory over the Confederacy. Buckeye Furnace was one of the facilities that contributed to that power.
Iron production gave the North a distinct advantage. The Hanging Rock Iron Region of Ohio became the center of iron production because the quality was superior to other the [sic] irons. Furnaces, like Buckeye Furnace, converted area natural resources—iron ore, limestone, and charcoal—into iron. During the Civil War, demand for the region's iron became so immense that many ironmasters loaded the iron while the pig irons were still hot.
Buckeye Furnace, one of 69 charcoal iron furnaces in the Hanging Rock Region, manufactured military hardware such as cannons, large mortars, rifle barrels, and armor plates. However, the iron produced at Buckeye Furnace also built steam engines for railroads and ships, rails for railroads, and armor plates for the first ironclad Union vessel, the USS Monitor.
(caption) Members of the 1st Ohio Light Artillery around a three-inch rifled gun. Ohio Historical Society
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce
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Location. 39° 3.296′ N, 82° 27.527′ W. Marker is in Buckeye Furnace, Ohio, in Jackson County. Marker can be reached from Buckeye Park Road (County Route 167) north of Buckeye Road (County Route 165), on the left when traveling north. Located in the Buckeye Furnace Historic Site picnic area. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 123 Buckeye Park Rd, Wellston OH 45692, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Hanging Rock Region (here, next to this marker); Buckeye Furnace (1851 - 1894) (within shouting distance of this marker); Scales (within shouting distance of this marker); Furnace Communities (within shouting distance of this marker); Buckeye Furnace Covered Bridge (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Casting (about 600 feet away); Labor At Charcoal Iron Furnace (about 700 feet away); Shipment Of Iron (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Buckeye Furnace.
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Credits. This page was last revised on March 11, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 10, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 220 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 10, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 5. submitted on March 11, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
