Oldtown in Greenup County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Laurel Furnace / Iron Made In Kentucky
Laurel Furnace. Built 4 miles west by George and Samuel Wurts in 1849. The bottom half of the stack, originally 39 feet high, is carved from one block of stone cliff. Maximum inner diameter 10½ feet. It made 2150 tons of iron in 31 weeks of 1855, consuming 376,250 bushels of charcoal fuel. The last blast was in 1874.
Iron Made in Kentucky. A major producer since 1791, Kentucky ranked 3rd is U.S. in 1830s, 11th in 1965. Charcoal timber, native ore, limestone supplied material for numerous furnaces making pig iron, utensils, munitions in the Hanging Rock, Red River, Between Rivers, Rolling Fork, and Green River Regions. Old charcoal furnace era ended by depletion of ore and timber and the growth of railroads.
Erected 1967 by Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky Department of Highways, and Armco Steel Corp. (Marker Number 1019.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources. In addition, it is included in the Appalachian Iron Furnaces, and the Kentucky Historical Society series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1849.
Location. 38° 26.436′ N, 82° 53.894′ W. Marker is in Oldtown, Kentucky, in Greenup County. Marker is at the intersection of Kentucky Route 1 and Laurel Road, on the left when traveling north on State Route 1. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Greenup KY 41144, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Grave of Lucy Virgin Downs (a few steps from this marker); Oldtown Covered Bridge (approx. 0.6 miles away); Hopewell Furnace / Iron Made in Kentucky (approx. 1.8 miles away); a different marker also named Grave of Lucy Virgin Downs (approx. 1.8 miles away); Buffalo Furnace / Iron Made in Kentucky (approx. 2.8 miles away); Greenup County's Crowning Jewel (approx. 2.8 miles away); Greenbo Lake State Resort Park (approx. 2.8 miles away); E. K. Railway – Hunnewell (approx. 3.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oldtown.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 12, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 14, 2018, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 790 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 14, 2018, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 2. submitted on December 6, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3. submitted on November 14, 2018, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 4. submitted on March 11, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A clear, full photo of the Iron Made in Kentucky side of the marker. • Can you help?