Near Cedar Bluff in Cherokee County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Cornwall Furnace
Photographed by Tim & Renda Carr, March 19, 2011
1. Cornwall Furnace Marker
The skilled labor was detailed from Confederate army personnel. It is estimated that 1000 laborers were employed in building the canal, tunnel and mining brown hematite rock used in building the furnace in less than a year.
The furnace output was small (6 tons daily) but an important asset to the Confederacy in building cannon, carriage and caisson. Some of the first military equipment used in the war was made from Cornwall Iron.
The life of Cornwall was relatively short lived - Gen. Sherman occupying Cedar Bluff and Gaylesville ordered the furnace destroyed in 1864 and on two occasions sent detachments for this purpose but the furnace still stands - perhaps the best preserved stack in the Southeast.
The furnace was put back in operation in 1867 but blown out forever in 1875.
Erected 1976 by Cherokee County Historical Society / Cherokee County Soil and Water Conservation District.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Appalachian Iron Furnaces series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1862.
Location.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in East Alabama and specifically in North Alabama. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Cornwall Furnace (within shouting distance of this marker); Cornwall Furnace Memorial Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Cherokee County Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Long Shadows House (approx. 1.7 miles away); Chattooga River (approx. 2 miles away); Gaylesville (approx. 2 miles away); Indian Village of Costa (approx. 2 miles away); Occupation of Gaylesville (approx. 2.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cedar Bluff.
Also see . . . Historic Cornwall Furnace, Alabama. Exceptional video showing all of Cornwall Furnace. (Submitted on April 2, 2018, by Angela Nichols of Centre, Alabama.)
Photographed by Tim & Renda Carr, March 19, 2011
2. Cornwall Furnace Marker
Photographed by Tim & Renda Carr, March 19, 2011
3. Cornwall Furnace and Marker on the right
Photographed by Tim & Renda Carr, March 19, 2011
4. Cornwall Furnace On the Shores of Lake Weiss
Photographed by Tim & Renda Carr, March 19, 2011
5. Drill marks in the stones that make up Cornwall Furnace
Photographed by Tim & Renda Carr, March 19, 2011
6. The heart of Cornwall Furnace
This is where the molten iron would accumulate before it is flowed out of the furnace into molds.
Photographed by Tim & Renda Carr, March 19, 2011
7. Looking up the stack inside the Cornwall Furnace
Credits. This page was last revised on September 16, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 20, 2011, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. This page has been viewed 3,060 times since then and 60 times this year. Last updated on May 15, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on March 20, 2011, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
