1055 Estill Steam Furnance

Category: Markers

Marker reads, Six miles north. A stone stack, built, 1830, by Thomas Deye Owings, a leader in the once thriving Red River iron industry. Originally 34 ft. high, 10 ft. across inside with a steam-powered air blast, burning charcoal. Produced 1967 tons of iron in 1872. Last blast in 1874. Pig iron was made into finished products at Clay City forge and rolling mill. Back of marker reads, 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.