Historical Marker

Deer Creek Furnace

Stood one mile south. It was a brick blast furnace, smelting iron ore from the numerous small pits still visible nearby, using locally made charcoal fuel, and having a steam-powered air blast. Built in 1850 by Alleniah Cole and Carey Allen Darlington, but operated only briefly. Land owned later by Hurricane Furnace, one mile west.

(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.