Raccoon Furnace
Built in 1833 by D. Trimble and J. T. Withrow, six miles south. Originally 35 ft. high with a maximum inner diameter of 10.5 ft. In 1873, this furnace produced 1467 tons of iron. It owned about 10,000 acres of land, mining its own ore and limestone, and making its own charcoal. Not operated after 1884. See other side. Marker presented by Armco Steel Corp. *Note: J.T. Withrow should read J.T. Woodrow*
(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.