Columbiana in Shelby County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Shelby Furnaces

Erected 1849 and 1863

— ------5 miles ---> —

Shelby Furnaces Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Carr, November 6, 2009

1. Shelby Furnaces Marker

Inscription. Major source of pig iron for the Confederacy. Furnished iron to Selma arsenal for heavy cannon, naval armor plate. Furnaces destroyed in 1865 by Wilson’s Cavalry raiders U.S.A. Rebuilt 1873, closed 1923.

Erected 1953 by Alabama Historical Association.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Association, and the Appalachian Iron Furnaces series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1865.

Location. 33° 10.641′ N, 86° 36.418′ W. Marker is in Columbiana, Alabama, in Shelby County. It is at the intersection of South Main Street and Mildred Street, on the right when traveling north on South Main Street. Marker located in a park across from the Old Shelby County Courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Columbiana AL 35051, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Birmingham Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

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 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Columbiana, Alabama (here, next to this marker); Shelby County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Shelby County War Memorial (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Steam Engine (approx. 4.6 miles away); Machine Shop Smoke Stack

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(approx. 4.6 miles away); Calera & Shelby Railroad (approx. 4.6 miles away); Shelby Springs Confederate Cemetery (approx. 5.4 miles away); Lesters Chapel United Methodist Church (approx. 8.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbiana.

Regarding Shelby Furnaces. Shelby Furnaces (Known as Shelby Iron Works Park) is located south of Columbiana in the town of Shelby, Alabama. Follow Shelby County Road 47 to County Road 42 in the town of Shelby. Turn right onto 42 and the Ironworks site is about 1/2 mile on the left.

Also see . . . Shelby Iron Works Park. Shelby County Historical Society website entry (Submitted on November 10, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Photographed by Tim Carr

2. Shelby Furnaces Marker

Site of Historic Shelby Iron Works 1847-1923 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Carr, May 10, 2008

3. Site of Historic Shelby Iron Works 1847-1923

Shelby Furnaces Machine Shop and Foundry Circa 1888 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Carr, May 10, 2008

4. Shelby Furnaces Machine Shop and Foundry Circa 1888

Shelby Furnaces in 1888 and in 2008. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Carr, May 10, 2008

5. Shelby Furnaces in 1888 and in 2008.

Shelby Furnaces Machine Shop Smoke Stack image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Carr, May 10, 2008

6. Shelby Furnaces Machine Shop Smoke Stack

One of the few remaining Shelby Iron Company structures.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 10, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 11, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,855 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on March 11, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.