East Canaan in North Canaan in Northwest Hills Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
Salamander
Beckley Furnace Industrial Monument
Photographed by Michael Herrick, April 15, 2011
1. Salamander Marker
A salamander could also form on the side of the furnace stack if the ore and limestone were not properly loaded. In this case the salamander could clog one or more of the tuyeres and put the fire out by preventing air from getting into the furnace.
Since a salamander is a single large piece, it must be pulled out of the furnace in one piece as you see it here. Try to imagine doing the job with muscle power alone as it was done here. The combined efforts of a large force of men and oxen were probably required for the job. We do not know how often these failures occurred, but at least 13 salamanders like this one have been discovered at this site!
Erected 2002 by Friends of Beckley Furnace, Inc.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce.
Location.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Connecticut’s Berkshire Foothills and in the Litchfield Hills. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Litchfield County and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Birth of an Industry (here, next to this marker); What Is This Place? (a few steps from this marker); Casting Arch & Furnace Hearth (a few steps from this marker); Tuyere Arch (a few steps from this marker); Samuel Forbes (approx. 0.4 miles away); East Canaan Veterans Monument (approx. half a mile away); North Canaan (approx. 2 miles away); Joseph Deferari (approx. 2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in North Canaan.
Also see . . . Friends of Beckley Furnace. (Submitted on April 25, 2011, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
Photographed by Michael Herrick, April 15, 2011
2. Detail Photo on the Marker
This picture shows a salamander that formed on the side of the furnace stack in another furnace. The chain passes through the hole where this salamander surrounded a tuyere in that furnace.
Photographed by Michael Herrick, April 15, 2011
3. Detail Photo on the Marker
This salamander formed on the bottom of another furnace. Note the clear imprint of the fire bricks that formed the bottom of the hearth in that furnace.
Photographed by Michael Herrick, April 15, 2011
4. Marker with an Iron Salamander weighing 10-tons
Photographed by Michael Herrick, April 15, 2011
5. Marker with a 10-ton Iron Salamander
Behind the marker is the information kiosk and the furnace
Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 25, 2011, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 866 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 25, 2011, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.
