Upper Merion Township near Valley Forge in Chester County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Upper Forge Site
Between here and the creek stood the forge. A low stone dam diverted water to power the bellows and hammer. Mount Misery, rising behind you, provided wood for charcoal. During the encampment, a road to the forge cut through the gap on the hill in front of you. The present road did not exist.
Bar iron produced at the forge was marketed in Philadelphia. In addition, the forge blacksmith shoed horses, steeled plows, and generally supplied the needs of the local community.
At the time of the Revolution, there were two forges along Valley Creek. This is the Upper Forge site. The other stood downstream near Washington’s Headquarters. The area takes its name from the lower forge, built in the 1740s.
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary.
Location. 40° 5.576′ N, 75° 27.404′ W. Marker is near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, in Chester County. It is in Upper Merion Township. Marker is on Valley Creek Road (Pennsylvania Route 525), on the left when traveling north. Marker is located along the walking trail on the west side of Valley Creek. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Phoenixville PA 19460, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Innerline Defense (approx. 0.3 miles away); Site of the Marquee (approx. 0.4 miles away); New Jersey Brigade (approx. 0.4 miles away); To Build a Redoubt (approx. 0.4 miles away); Sullivan’s Division (approx. 0.4 miles away); Artillery Park (approx. half a mile away); The Camp’s Road System (approx. half a mile away); Knox’s Quarters (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Valley Forge.
More about this marker. The background of the marker contains an illustration of the upper forge. A map of the area, indicating the locations of Washington’s Headquarters and the Lower and Upper Forge sites is at the lower left of the marker. A picture of a man working in the forge appears on the marker’s right. It has a caption of “By removing the impurities, this finery forge converted raw pig iron to wrought iron – malleable and tough enough to shape into barrel hoops and tools.
The drawing is conjectural, based on the 1929 site excavation and other archeological and documentary evidence.”
Also see . . . Valley Forge National Historical Park. National Park Service website. (Submitted on March 21, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 21, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 895 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 21, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.