Ashland Furnace
Historical marker location:When dismantled in 1962, world's oldest known operating blast furnace. Built in 1869 by Ashland Coal and Iron Railway Co., then 60 ft. high, 15 ft. diameter inside. Daily capacity 40 tons of iron, increased by rebuilding to 550 tons. Operated after 1921 by Armco Steel Corp. as Sixth Street Furnace. 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.