Near Greenville in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Buckner-Churchill Furnace
⎯⎯⎯
Iron Made in Kentucky
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller
1. Buckner-Churchill Furnace side of marker
Buckner-Churchill Furnace. A round stone blast furnace built a mile NW in 1837 by Aylette Hartswell Buckner and Cadwallader Churchill. Using local ore and charcoal fuel, it produced pig iron, which was hauled 18 miles to South Carrollton for shipment on Green River, and kettles, shovels, tongs and andirons for sale in this vicinity. Last blast was in 1842.
Iron Made in Kentucky. A major producer since 1791, Ky. ranked 3rd in US in 1830s, 11th in 1965. Charcoal timber, native ore, limestone supplied material for numerous furnaces making pig iron, utensils, munitions in the Hanging Rock, Red River, Between Rivers, Rolling Fork, Green River Regions. Charcoal-furnace era ended in 1880s with depletion of ore and timber and use of modern methods.
Erected 1970 by Kentucky Historical Society and Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 1389.)
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 Kentucky Historical Society series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1791.
Location. 37° 7.913′ N, 87° 8.467′ W.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Tri-State Region and specifically in the Pennyroyal Region. It is also in the American Midwest, in the South, and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Old Greenville Cemetery (approx. 5.1 miles away); First Presbyterian Church (approx. 5.1 miles away); Battle of New Orleans (approx. 5.2 miles away); Forrest Reconnoitered (approx. 5.2 miles away); Revolutionary War Soldiers (approx. 5.2 miles away); Muhlenberg County (approx.
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, December 1, 2025
2. Iron Made in Kentucky side of marker
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, December 1, 2025
3. Buckner-Churchill Furnace / Iron Made in Kentucky Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on October 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 15, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 62 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 15, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
