Amanda Furnace
When built, 1963, by Armco Steel Corp., rated as the ideal blast furnace, with a hearth diameter of 301/2 ft., daily capacity of 3340 tons of iron. Set American record of 110,515 tons in March, 1966. Rebuilt, in 1968, to produce 4020 tons daily with 331/2 ft. hearth. Named for pioneer furnace a mile west. See other side. Marker presented by Armco Steel Corp.
(Reverse) 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. Old charcoal furnace era ended by depletion of ore and timber and the growth of railroads.