2015 Early Iron Works/Clay City Timber Industry

Category: Markers

Marker reads, Though there is evidence of iron production in area even earlier, land was bought for this purpose, 1805, by Robert Clark Jr. and Wm. Smith. Known as Clark & Smiths Iron Works, 1805-1808. A blast furnace called Red River Iron Works operated here from 1808 to 1830. Rebuilt as Estill Steam Furnace on another site; closed in 1869. Presented by Red River Hist. Soc. with ISTEA Funds. Reverse, Clay City Timber Industry - With Kentucky Union Railway Companys track laid in Powell Co. in 1886, the areas timber industry expanded. Red River Lumber Mills 1880 became largest steam powered sawmill in KY. In 1890, the steady run began at one of Americas largest timber processing plants. A 1906 mill fire and deforestation of areas timber led to the end of boom days in Clay City.