Near Snow Hill in Worcester County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Nassawango Iron Furnace

circa 1828 - 1850

— National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark —

Photographed by Nate Davidson, August 2, 2010

1. National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark Marker

Inscription. Nassawango is structurally typical of its period while distinctive in several ways: it smelted bog ore; it is principally of brick rather than stone; and of greatest significance, it probably is the earliest surviving American furnace that employed the “hot blast.” By this means--now universally used--the production of pig iron was greatly increased. The cast-iron blast-air “stove” at the top of the furnace stack was installed here ca. 1835, less than a decade after introduction of the process, in England.

Erected 1991 by The American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Landmarks. In addition, it is included in the ASME Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1835.

Location. 38° 12.233′ N, 75° 28.15′ W. Marker is near Snow Hill, Maryland, in Worcester County. It can be reached from the intersection of Old Furnace Road and Millville Road. Located within the Furnace-Town Living History Museum. Entrance fees apply. Closed during off-season. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3816 Old Furnace Road, Snow Hill MD 21863, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Eastern Shore.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic,

on the Delmarva Peninsula,

and in the Tidewater.

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 one of the original Thirteen Colonies

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Canal (within shouting distance of this marker); Water Wheel

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(within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Charging the Furnace (within shouting distance of this marker); Mill Race and Overview (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Nassawango Iron Furnace (within shouting distance of this marker); The Mill Race (within shouting distance of this marker); American chestnut (within shouting distance of this marker); Adkins Barn/Blacksmith Shop (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Snow Hill.

Other markers no longer nearby. Charging the Furnace (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Hot Blast (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named Mill Race and Overview (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

More about this marker. Located at the top of the iron furnace

Also see . . . Furnace Town Living Heritage Museum

At the top of the Iron Furnace image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Nate Davidson, August 2, 2010

2. At the top of the Iron Furnace

Historic marker at the bottom right corner.

. (Submitted on May 23, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

The remains of the Iron Furnace image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Nate Davidson, August 2, 2010

3. The remains of the Iron Furnace

Mill Race from top of Furnace image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Nate Davidson, August 2, 2010

4. Mill Race from top of Furnace

Credits. This page was last revised on October 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 22, 2011, by Nathan Davidson of Salisbury, Maryland. This page has been viewed 839 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 22, 2011, by Nathan Davidson of Salisbury, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.