Historical Marker

Clinton Furnace

Stood one mile east. Its stone stack was 10 ft. across inside, about 35 ft. high, built in 1832 by George, William, Thomas H., and Hugh A. Poage. In 270 days of 1838, it used 2992 tons of ore, 247,000 bushels of charcoal to make 950 tons of iron. In 1857, produced 1500 tons. Operations ceased before 1867. 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.