Near Albright in Preston County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Old Iron Furnace

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 16, 2014

1. Old Iron Furnace Marker

Inscription. Built by Harrison Hagans in 1852. This furnace and others were used to cast iron in frontier days. Early castings were made here for the Brandonville stove used by the early settlers west of the Ohio River.

Erected 2012 by West Virginia Archives and History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Appalachian Iron Furnaces, and the West Virginia Archives and History series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1852.

Location. Marker has been reported permanently removed. It was located near 39° 31.714′ N, 79° 37.99′ W. Marker was near Albright, West Virginia, in Preston County. It was on North Preston Highway (West Virginia Route 26) 2.7 miles north of Albright, on the right when traveling north. It is 9½ miles south of the Route 26 exit on Interstate 68. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Albright WV 26519, United States of America.

We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

Regionally, this marker was in the American

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South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it was in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Old Iron Furnace (a few steps from this marker); Imagining an Iron Furnace in Operation (within shouting distance of this marker); Albright / Albright Family (approx. 2.4 miles away); Mt. Moriah Cemetery Veterans (approx. 3.3 miles away); Priests Who Served The Catholic Church (approx. 4.6 miles away); Japanese tigertail spruce (approx. 4.8 miles away); Dunkard Bottom (approx. 4.8 miles away); Norway maple (approx. 4.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Albright.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 16, 2014

2. Old Iron Furnace Marker

Virginia Iron Furnace Sign, Roadside image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 16, 2014

3. Virginia Iron Furnace Sign, Roadside

It reads “Built 1847. Placed on National Registry of Historic Places 1999. Project of the Preston County Historical Society.” The stonework of the furnace can be seen on the left. The top of the furnace, where the raw materials were loaded, is parallel with the road, which is off-frame on the right.

Walkway Down to the Furnace image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 16, 2014

4. Walkway Down to the Furnace

This is across the road from the marker. A pull-off is available for parking. The stone furnace can be seen in the distance.

Virginia Iron Furnace image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, March 26, 2021

5. Virginia Iron Furnace

Photographed by Bradley Owen, March 26, 2021

6. Old Iron Furnace Marker

Marker is missing.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 6, 2014, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,531 times since then and 34 times this year. Last updated on March 26, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 6, 2014, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 5, 6. submitted on March 26, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.