Jackson Township near Belleville in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Greenwood Furnace
Photographed by Don Morfe, November 9, 2015
1. Greenwood Furnace Marker
Erected 1947 by Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the ASM International Historical Landmarks, and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1837.
Location. 40° 38.942′ N, 77° 45.423′ W. Marker is near Belleville, Pennsylvania, in Huntingdon County. It is in Jackson Township. It is on Greenwood Road (Pennsylvania Route 305). The marker is located at Greenwood Furnace State Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Huntingdon PA 16652, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Northern Water Snakes (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Blacksmith & Wagon Shop (approx. 0.2 miles away); From Mineral To Metal (approx. Ό mile away); An Undeniable Presence (approx. Ό mile away); An Industry in Ruins
this page online
Photographed by Don Morfe, November 9, 2015
2. Greenwood Furnace Marker
Photographed by Don Morfe, November 9, 2015
3. Greenwood Public Camp
"One of Nature's Beauty Spots" When the iron furnace closed in 1904, the Greenwood Furnace landscape reflected more than seventy years of industrial use. Yet a mere twenty years later, Greenwood Furnace was known as a place of scenic beauty. In 1924, the Department of Forestry created the "Greenwood Public Camp". The old dam was repaired and camping shelters were built. By the early 1930s, picnic pavilions, and a small beach with a dressing stockade greeted early park visitors.
Photographed by Don Morfe, November 9, 2015
4. Greenwood Furnace State Forest Park
"Greenwood Furnace Will Be Changed Into Park" The Decade of the 1930's was one of the greatest in terms of conservation work in PA's forests. President Franklin D. Roosevelt created the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), in 1933. Their purpose was two-fold--to ease the unemployment of young men while performing conservation work. New facilities were needed as the park was growing in popularity' Three different CCC camps built facilities in the park. The dam was rebuilt and included an electrical generator. The beach was enlarged and bordered by a stone wall and a new dressing stockade was built. These facilities used local stone and logs in their construction, and were designed to look like they are part of the natural environment. Some still survive today --a testament to the young men of the Civilian Conservation Corps.
Photographed by Don Morfe, November 9, 2015
5. Greenwood Furnace State Park
Recreation, History, and Education-Following World War II, Greenwood Furnace remained a popular recreation area and in 1968, became Greenwood Furnace State Park. A new modern campground was built and other facilities were upgraded. Since the late 1970s, archaeological investigations have revealed much of the history buried in the ground. Educational programming began to focus on the heritage of the furnace. In 2003, a new Visitor Center, Park Office, Beach building, and restrooms were added to the park. In 1989, Greenwood Furnace was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a National Historic District. In 1995, ASM International---The Materials Information Society (formerly the American Society for Metals), recognized this site as a National Landmark, the 95th site in the world to be so honored recognizing the superior grade of Greenwood Iron that helped with the westward expansion of America.
Photographed by Don Morfe, November 9, 2015
6. Greenwood Furnace State Park-Beach and Beach House
Photographed by Don Morfe, November 9, 2015
7. Greenwood Furnace State Park swimming area
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 21, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 540 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on November 21, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
