Near Zaleski in Vinton County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Hope Furnace
1854 - 1874
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 15, 2009
1. Hope Furnace Marker
One of 69 charcoal iron furnaces in the famous Hanging Rock Iron Region. Extending more than 100 miles from Logan, Ohio to Mt. Savage, Kentucky this area contained all materials necessary to produce high grade iron. The industry flourished for over 50 years in mid-nineteenth century during which time the area was one of the leading iron producing centers of the world. The charcoal iron industry was responsible for the rapid development of southern Ohio and the romance of the Hanging Rock Iron Region forms a brilliant chapter in the industrial history of the Buckeye State.
Erected 1960 by the Ohio Society of Professional Engineersand the Ohio Historical Markers Committee. (Marker Number 1-82.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Appalachian Iron Furnaces, and the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.
Location. 39° 19.92′ N, 82° 20.424′ W. Marker is near Zaleski, Ohio, in Vinton County. It can be reached from Ohio 278. Marker is adjacent to Hope Furnace, in the Zaleski State Forest,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Hocking Hills and 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 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Hope Furnace / Hanging Rock Iron Region (a few steps from this marker); Hope Furnace Ruins (a few steps from this marker); The History of Lake Hope (within shouting distance of this marker); Hope Schoolhouse (approx. 1.3 miles away); Selinde Roosenburg (approx. 1.3 miles away); a different marker also named Hope Schoolhouse (approx. 1.3 miles away); Gallia County State Route 160 Racoon Creek Bridge (approx. 1.3 miles away); Ranger Station Mound (approx. 4.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Zaleski.
Other markers no longer nearby. The Hanging Rock Blast Furnace (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); From Forest to Furnace (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); The Furnace Legacy (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); Life in Zaleski (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); The Hanging Rock Iron Region (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed).
Also see . . .
1. Hope Furnace.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 15, 2009
2. Hope Furnace and Marker
2. Hope Furnace. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on January 15, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 15, 2009
3. Hope Furnace
As of May 2024, the 5 resin markers shown in this photo have been removed.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 23, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,863 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 23, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
