Mayville in Dodge County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Wisconsin’s First Iron Smelter
Photographed By Paul F, October 13, 2010
1. Wisconsin’s First Iron Smelter Marker
Mayville was founded in 1845 by Alvin and William Foster and Chester and S.P. May. Iron ore was discovered by these men approximately four miles south of Mayville. A quantity of the ore was taken to the nearest iron smelter in Mishawaka, Indiana, in 1846. In 1847 Judge Alonzo Kinyon promoted a company chartered as the Wisconsin Iron Company. Construction of the first furnace was started at Mayville in 1848 approximately 500 feet southwest of this marker. In 1849 the furnace cast its first molten iron yielding about 12 tons per day, using charcoal from native hardwoods for fuel.
The industry prospered for 79 years, modernizing with the times to an eventual 800 tons of iron per day capacity. It once occupied the entire marker area as well as adjacent acreage. Due to curtailed demand for pig iron, the plant closed permanently in 1928. The last owner was The Mayville Iron Company.
Erected 1973 by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 193.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce
this page online
Location. 43° 30.403′ N, 88° 32.516′ W. Marker is in Mayville, Wisconsin, in Dodge County. Marker is on North Main Street (State Highway 28 & 67) half a mile north of Horicon Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located on North Main Street at the Lower Mill Pond Bridge. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mayville WI 53050, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Soldiers and Sailors Monument (approx. 0.6 miles away); Berthold "Pete" Husting (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Mayville White Limestone School Building (approx. 0.6 miles away); Hollenstein Wagon and Carriage Factory (approx. ¾ mile away); Solomon Juneau House (approx. 4.6 miles away); World War II (approx. 6.7 miles away); War Memorial (approx. 7.4 miles away); Horicon Marsh (approx. 10.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mayville.
Additional commentary.
1. Marker Replacement
This marker was replaced in 2013 due to the deteriorated condition of the original marker. In addition, several corrections were made. The new marker
Photographed By Eric Kuntz, June 1, 2014
2. Wisconsin’s First Iron Smelter Marker
New marker - replaced 2013
— Submitted June 1, 2014, by Eric Kuntz of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.
Photographed By Eric Kuntz, June 1, 2014
3. Wisconsin’s First Iron Smelter Marker
New marker - replaced 2013
Photographed By Eric Kuntz, June 1, 2014
4. Wisconsin’s First Iron Smelter Marker
New marker dedication ceremony - June 1, 2014
Photographed By Paul F, October 13, 2010
5. Wisconsin’s First Iron Smelter Marker
Marker and Mill Pond Dam
Photographed By Paul F, October 13, 2010
6. Wisconsin’s First Iron Smelter Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 13, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,276 times since then and 109 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 13, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 1, 2014, by Eric Kuntz of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. 5, 6. submitted on October 13, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
