Near New Concord in Calloway County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Gerard Furnace / Iron Made in Kentucky
Photographed By Craig Swain, September 4, 2010
1. Gerard Furnace Marker
Gerard Furnace
Built 2¼ miles east in 1854 by Browder, Kentucky and Co. Inside it was 24ft. high and 10½ ft. across at widest point, burning locally made charcoal fuel. Its air blast machinery was powered by steam. In 34 weeks of 1857, it produced 1,595 tons of pig iron, mostly shipped by steamboats on Tennessee River. Did not operate after 1858. See other side.
Reverse:
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. Over.
Erected 2007 by Kentucky Historical Society and Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 1373.)
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 1854.
Location. 36° 31.463′ N, 88° 7.129′ W. Marker is near New Concord, Kentucky,
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Fort Heiman (within shouting distance of this marker); Under Union Occupation (approx. 3.4 miles away); a different marker also named Fort Heiman (approx. 3.8 miles away); Pook Turtles (approx. 3.8 miles away); Slave Labor (approx. 3.8 miles away); An Unfinished Fort (approx. 3.9 miles away); Forrest Stages A Raid (approx. 3.9 miles away); Battle of Fort Henry (approx. 5.1 miles away in Tennessee). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Concord.
Photographed By Shane Oliver, March 6, 2021
2. Gerard Furnace Marker
Photographed By Craig Swain, September 4, 2010
3. Iron Made in Kentucky
Photographed By Shane Oliver, March 6, 2021
4. Iron Made in Kentucky Marker
Photographed By Craig Swain, September 4, 2010
5. Gerard Furnace Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on May 10, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 14, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,034 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 14, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on May 10, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. 3. submitted on November 14, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4. submitted on May 10, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. 5. submitted on November 14, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
