Hopewell Furnace
In 1824, William Ward built here a bloomery forge, converting it, 1832-33, to a blast furnace, also known as Camp Branch Furnace. Air blast was waterpowered. In 1838, this stone stack made 600 tons of iron, consuming 1500 tons of ore, and burning 165,000 bushels of charcoal fuel. Operations ceased in 1844. 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.