Ashland in Boyd County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Norton Furnace / Iron Made in Kentucky

Norton Furnace side of marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 30, 2018

1. Norton Furnace side of marker

Inscription. NORTON FURNACE. In 1967, the world’s oldest known operating blast furnace. Built by Norton Iron Works Co. in 1873, an iron shell stack 67 ft. high with maximum inner diameter of 18 feet, burning “stone coal.” It produced 10,502 tons of iron in 1874. Its 1884 capacity was 20,000 tons yearly. Operated after 1828 by Armco Steel Corp. See other side.

IRON MADE IN KENTUCKY. A major producer since 1791, Ky. ranked 3rd in 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, Green River Regions. Old charcoal furnace era ended by depletion of ore and timber and the growth of railroads. See over.

Erected 1967 by Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky Department of Highways, and Armco Steel Corp. (Marker Number 1023.)

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 1873.

Location. 38° 28.456′ N, 82° 37.835′ W. Marker is in Ashland, Kentucky

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, in Boyd County. Marker is at the intersection of Winchester Avenue (Business U.S. 23) and 23rd Street, on the left when traveling east on Winchester Avenue. It is in front of the Castle Apartments. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ashland KY 41101, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Baseball at Central Park (approx. 0.3 miles away); 2021 Inductees (approx. 0.3 miles away); 2019 Inductees (approx. 0.3 miles away); 2022 Inductees (approx. 0.3 miles away); 2015 Inductees (approx. 0.3 miles away); 2016 Inductees (approx. 0.3 miles away); 2017 Inductees (approx. 0.3 miles away); 2018 Inductees (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ashland.

Iron Made in Kentucky Marker side of marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 30, 2018

2. Iron Made in Kentucky Marker side of marker

Norton Furnace / Iron Made in Kentucky Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 30, 2018

3. Norton Furnace / Iron Made in Kentucky Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 23, 2019. It was originally submitted on December 8, 2018, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 627 times since then and 75 times this year. Last updated on January 6, 2019, by T. Patton of Jefferson, Georgia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 8, 2018, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.