The Etna (Aetna) Furnace
1816 - 1832
At its most active times, about 200 men were employed here. There was a sawmill, gristmill and about 50 homes.
Power for the furnace bellows was generated by building a dam below Head of the River and constructing a raceway to the furnace waterwheel, which still may be seen.
Bar iron for spikes (6 inches to two feet) and bolts for ships were made here. The furnace, once in “blast”, operated continuously for about 9 months of the year and only shut down for repairs and cleaning when the river froze.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1816.
Location. 39° 18.593′ N, 74° 48.944′ W. Marker is in Estell Manor, New Jersey, in Atlantic County. It is on Head of the River Road (NJ 649). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Estell Manor NJ 08319, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. 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 New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Head of the River Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Tie That Binds (approx. 0.4 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 4 miles away); Memorial Field (approx. 4 miles away); Exploring the Pines
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Credits. This page was last revised on May 27, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 26, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,193 times since then and 69 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 22, 2026, by Donald B. Caselli (Barry) of Hopewell, Virginia. 2, 3. submitted on January 26, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
