Ducktown in Polk County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Smelter

Photographed by Tom Bosse, November 22, 2024

1. Smelter Marker

Inscription. Nineteenth-century copper smelters were constructed from local rock. Once the ore was heated to a melting temperature, the copper and iron separated and the iron settled into the bottom of the furnace, where it eventually re-solidified. These iron “sows” are the result of that solidification. From time to time, the furnaces were torn down and the iron sows were discarded.

[Caption]:
Ruins of the pre-Civil War Burra Burra smelter, photographed in 1904.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Burra Burra Mine Site Walking/Driving Tour series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1904.

Location. 35° 2.14′ N, 84° 22.689′ W. Marker is in Ducktown, Tennessee, in Polk County. It is on Burra Burra Street, on the left when traveling south. Marker is located at the Burra Burra Mine State Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 212 Burra Burra Street, Ducktown TN 37326, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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this marker is in East Tennessee.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern 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 original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Sinking Hoist (here, next to this marker); Matte (here, next to this marker); Fire Hose Building (a few steps from this marker); Slag (a few steps from this marker); Sheave Wheels (a few steps from this marker); Air Compressor (a few steps from this marker); Burra Burra Mine (a few steps from this marker); Mine Office (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ducktown.

Also see . . .
1. The Ducktown Basin Museum. (Submitted on December 3, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)
2. Ducktown Basin Museum and Burra Burra Mine.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, November 22, 2024

2. Smelter Marker

Mine Superintendent home in background.

(Submitted on December 3, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Tom Bosse, November 22, 2024

3. Smelter Marker

Marker is third from left.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 3, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 144 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 3, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.