Jefferson Furnace facts for kids
The Jefferson Furnace was an important place in Ohio, United States. It started making iron in 1854 and stopped in 1916. This furnace helped turn raw materials into useful metal.
Even though the furnace is now old and falling apart, it is still a very important historical site for the Jackson County area. It is located in Oak Hill, Ohio. A group of Welshmen, led by Thomas T. Jones and John D. Davis, built it. The people who managed the furnace earned more money than the workers.
Iron for the Civil War
The Jefferson Furnace played a big part during the American Civil War. It made a lot of iron that was used by the Union side.
One famous item made with iron from this furnace was the Monitor. This was a well-known warship used by the Union army. The furnace also produced iron for large, seven-ton guns. These powerful guns were used at Harper's Ferry.
The End of an Era
The Jefferson Furnace made its very last batch of iron on December 26, 1916. This happened late at night, at 11:40 p.m. After this final pour, the furnace stopped working forever.
Visiting the Furnace Today
Today, visitors can still see what is left of the Jefferson Furnace. It stands in its original spot near Lake Jackson in Oak Hill, Ohio.
Not much is being done to fix up the furnace right now. However, there is a special marker there. This marker tells everyone about its important history for the village and the country. Even though it is getting old and covered in weeds, the furnace still stands. Its top layers of bricks are slowly coming apart due to age and neglect.
