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
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Location. 39° 3.296′ N, 82° 27.527′ W. Marker is in Buckeye Furnace, Ohio, in Jackson County. It 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.
Regionally, this marker is in Southern Ohio Hill Country. It is also in the American Midwest, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. 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, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Hanging Rock Region
Other markers no longer nearby. Hanging Rock Region (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Buckeye Furnace (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); a different marker also named Scales (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Stock Shed (was about 700 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
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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 412 times since then and 23 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.
