Near Forks of Cacapon in Hampshire County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Bloomery Iron Furnace / Bloomery Gap Skirmish

Bloomery Iron Furnace Marker image. Click for full size.

August 31, 2008

1. Bloomery Iron Furnace Marker

Inscription. Bloomery Iron Furnace The furnace was built, 1833, by Thomas Pastly and later was owned by Lewis Passmor. He placed a Mr. Cornwell in charge who operated it until 1848 when it was sold to S. A. Pancost. He and his heirs operated it until 1875 when the furnace was closed down. It was operated for a short time in 1880-1881. Annual capacity was 8500 tons. The iron was carried on rafts and flatboats down the Cacapon River.

Bloomery Gap Skirmish February 14, 1862, Brigadier General Frederick W. Lander, commanding the 5th and 8th Ohio, 14th Indiana Infantry, and 400 men of the 1st West Virginia Cavalry, attacked a Confederate brigade of the 31st, 51st, 67th, and 89th Virginia Militia under Colonel J. Sencendiver. The Confederates were routed and fled toward Winchester. Lander returned to his camp at Paw Paw and Sencendiver again occupied Bloomery Gap.

Erected 1963 by West Virginia Historic Commission.

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, and the West Virginia Archives and History series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1638.

Location. 39° 24.498′

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N, 78° 24.114′ W. Marker is near Forks of Cacapon, West Virginia, in Hampshire County. Marker is on Bloomery Pike (West Virginia Route 127), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bloomery WV 26817, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. “Caudy’s Castle” (approx. 0.8 miles away); Fight at Bloomery Gap (approx. 2.1 miles away); Pinoak Fountain (approx. 3.4 miles away); Hampshire County / Virginia (approx. 4 miles away); Overlook at Cacapon State Park (approx. 5.3 miles away); Cacapon Mountain Overlook (approx. 5.3 miles away); West Virginia (Morgan County) / Virginia (approx. 5.6 miles away); Hampshire County / Morgan County (approx. 6 miles away).

Also see . . .
1. Bloomery. The Crossings website entry:
found within "History of Hampshire County and The Crossings at the Great Cacapon". (Submitted on August 31, 2008.)

2. Bloomery Gap - Official Reports of Gen. Lander and Col. Sencendiver. Romney Campaign Simulation website entry (Submitted on August 31, 2008.)

Additional commentary.
1. Parking Near the Furnace
Please note that there isn't a designated parking area to view the marker or the furnace. This is located on a semi-busy two lane highway. Care should be used when pulling in

Bloomery Gap Skirmish Marker image. Click for full size.

August 31, 2008

2. Bloomery Gap Skirmish Marker

and out of the area.

— Submitted April 19, 2022, by Lora Wilson of Paw Paw, West Virginia.

August 31, 2008

3. Bloomery Iron Furnace Marker

North Side facing WV Route 127

Bloomery Iron Furnace image. Click for full size.

August 31, 2008

4. Bloomery Iron Furnace

Photographed By Lora Wilson, April 16, 2022

5. Bloomery Iron Furnace

Photographed By Lora Wilson, April 16, 2022

6. Bloomery Iron Furnace

Credits. This page was last revised on April 19, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 31, 2008. This page has been viewed 3,903 times since then and 105 times this year. Last updated on September 2, 2008. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 31, 2008. 5, 6. submitted on April 19, 2022, by Lora Wilson of Paw Paw, West Virginia. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.