Historical Marker

New Hampshire Furnace

Built 6 mi. west in 1846 on a tract of 30,000 acres by Samuel Seaton and others. Stone stack is 35 ft. high, 10 ft. across inside. Charcoal-fueled, steam-powered air blast. In 22 weeks of 1854, produced 970 tons of iron, hauled in pigs by oxcarts to the Ohio River. It was probably not operated after 1854. 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.