Louisa in Lawrence County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Pioneer Furnace / Iron Made in Kentucky

Pioneer Furnace Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 13, 2019

1. Pioneer Furnace Marker

Inscription.
Pioneer Furnace The southernmost blast furnace in the Hanging Rock Iron Region. Built in 1881, 4½ miles south, by Jay H. Northup, George C. Peck and Thomas Cummings. A stone stack 18 ft. high with a maximum inner diameter of 4½ ft., it began operations in 1882, using locally mined ore and charcoal fuel made nearby. Production had ceased by 1884. See the other side.

Iron Made in Kentucky Iron Made in Kentucky - A major producer since 1791, Ky. ranked 3rd in US 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. Charcoal-furnace era ended in 1880s with depletion of ore and timber and use of modern methods. Over.

Erected 1970 by Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 1354.)

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 1881.

Location. 38° 5.565′

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N, 82° 36.628′ W. Marker is in Louisa, Kentucky, in Lawrence County. Marker is on Kentucky Route 2565 north of Kentucky Route 644, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Louisa KY 41230, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Fort Bishop (approx. 1.3 miles away); The First United Methodist Church (approx. 1½ miles away); Frederick M. Vinson (approx. 1.6 miles away); County Named, 1821 (approx. 1.6 miles away); Lawrence County Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.6 miles away); Old Floyd County / Lawrence County Revolutionary War Memorial (approx. 1.6 miles away); Louisa in Civil War (approx. 1.6 miles away); Vancouver’s Fort (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Louisa.

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

Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 18, 2019

2. Iron Made in Kentucky side of marker

The view south on Old Highway US-23. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 13, 2019

3. The view south on Old Highway US-23.

The view north on KY-2565 of the reverse side of the marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 13, 2019

4. The view north on KY-2565 of the reverse side of the marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 20, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 21, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 340 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 21, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 2. submitted on February 17, 2020, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 3, 4. submitted on July 21, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.