Historical Marker

Hopewell Furnace

Also called Ozeoro, built 1/2 mile north in 1848 by Wm. L. Hiter, Wm. Lewis and Henry F. Given. A brick stack 30 ft. high, 9 ft. in maximum inner diameter, it was charcoal-fueled with air blast powered by steam. In 33 weeks of 1856 it produced 1096 tons of pig iron from locally mined ore. It was rebuilt in 1857, and ceased operating in 1859. See other side.

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. Charcoal-furnace era ended in 1880s with depletion of ore and timber and use of modern methods.