Near Fredericksburg in Spotsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Spotswood’s Furnace

Photographed By Dawn Bowen, July 13, 2007

1. Spotswood’s Furnace Marker

Inscription. Four miles north, on this side road, is the site of an ancient iron furnace established about 1716 by Governor Alexander Spotswood, the first fully equipped iron furnace in the colonies. Iron was hauled along this road to the Rappahannock River for shipment. William Byrd visited the furnace in 1732 and described it.

Erected 1930 by Conservation & Development Commission. (Marker Number J-42.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1716.

Location. 38° 17.54′ N, 77° 34.441′ W. Marker is near Fredericksburg, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. Marker is on Plank Road (Virginia Route 3) 0.3 miles west of Harrison Road (County Route 620), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12200 Spotswood Furnace Rd, Fredericksburg VA 22407, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Roads Through the Battlefield (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Opening of the Campaign (about 600 feet away); McCarty Farm (about 800 feet away); Confederate Defense Turns to Offense

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(about 800 feet away); Earthworks (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Day at Chancellorsville (approx. 0.8 miles away); 11th United States Infantry (approx. 0.9 miles away); a different marker also named First Day at Chancellorsville (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.

Regarding Spotswood’s Furnace. Spotswood's Furnace has also been referred to as Tubal Furnace or Tubal Iron Works.

Also see . . . Preserving the Sunrise - Columns - Industrial Heating. The foregoing describes the sunrise of industrial revolution in America. Without the vision, work and success of Alexander Spotswood, there might not be a United States as we know it today. (Submitted on October 6, 2012, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.)

Marker along SR 3 (Plank Road) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Dawn Bowen, July 13, 2007

2. Marker along SR 3 (Plank Road)

Modern day view of the Site of Spotswood’s Furnace image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Paul Crumlish, October 6, 2012

3. Modern day view of the Site of Spotswood’s Furnace

Photographed By Paul Crumlish, October 6, 2012

4. Modern day view of the Site of Spotswood’s Furnace

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,206 times since then and 120 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 13, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. 3, 4. submitted on October 6, 2012, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.