Buckeye Furnace in Jackson County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Charging The Furnace
Photographed by Craig Doda, August 9, 2026
1. Charging The Furnace Marker
To begin the iron-making process, a fire was allowed to burn in the furnace for several hours. Its heat drove off any moisture that might be trapped in the furnace. This was necessary because moisture, even in small amounts, could cause an explosion if it came into contact with the molten iron or slag.
Stockpiled iron ore, charcoal, and limestone were measured out in proper amounts of each. Materials were alternately dumped into the furnace through the tunnel head. Layers of iron ore, charcoal, and limestone were loaded into the furnace until the stack was filled. Pure charcoal filled the lower part of the furnace. After it was ignited, the furnace temperature began to rise. Gradually, the iron ore and limestone began making its way down into the crucible. With the furnace up to temperature the iron making process was ready. The "blast air" was initiated and the iron-making process would be underway.
Charging the furnace required backbreaking labor. During the twelve-hour period, workmen had to measure and load into the furnace as much as:
57,600 pounds of iron ore
800 bushels of charcoal
1,900 pounds of limestone
About
this page online
Erected by Ohio Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list.
Location. 39° 3.394′ N, 82° 27.427′ W. Marker is in Buckeye Furnace, Ohio, in Jackson County. It is at the intersection of Buckeye Park Road and Buckeye Road, on the right when traveling north on Buckeye Park Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 196 Buckeye Park Rd, Wellston OH 45692, United States
Photographed by Craig Doda, August 9, 2026
2. Charging The Furnace Marker
Regionally, this marker is 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 walking distance of this marker: Engine House (a few steps from this marker); Labor at Charcoal Iron Furnace (a few steps from this marker); Shipment of Iron (a few steps from this marker); Cold & Hot Blast Iron Making (within shouting distance of this marker); Casting (within shouting distance of this marker); Bridge Loft/Charging House (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Stockyard (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Stock Shed (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Buckeye Furnace.
Other markers no longer nearby. Stock Shed (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Stockyard (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Credits. This page was last revised on October 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 5, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on October 7, 2026. 2. submitted on October 5, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
