Iron Furnace Park, Main Street Lonaconing, Maryland

Lonaconing Iron Furnace Handbook for Guides

PDF download (---K)

Coal, iron ore, and limestone was readily available in the George's Creek valley. In 1837, the Corporation members were involved in the construction of an "experimental" iron smelting blast furnace in what became present Lonaconing.

Iron is obtained from its ores by heating a mixture of iron ore; carbon in the form of charcoal, coal, or coke; and mineral flux to somewhat above the melting point of cast iron -- commonly about 3000 degrees F. in a vertical furnace made of firebrick. Heated, compressed air is forced into the bottom of the furnace through water-cooled ports to increase the burning rate of the carbon fuel and the formation rate of carbon monoxide which reacts with the iron ore to form liquid iron.

The iron collects in the bottom of the furnace beneath a layer of liquid mineral flux and is drained off into large molds to make “pig” ingot cast iron.

Prior iron smelting processes in the U.S. used charcoal as the fuel; this furnace would use bituminous coal and/or coke as the fuel mixed with the iron ore and flux minerals and produce much more "pig iron" per day than prior furnaces. Completed and started in 1839, the furnace was a commercial success through the 1840's, producing up to 75 tons per week of cast iron for local casting operations and out-of-town sales throughout the region. Dowel pins in the walls of the C&O Canal have been traced to the Lonaconing Furnace.

By 1855, the local market for pig iron and cast iron products was filled to capacity, larger and faster furnaces were being built elsewhere, and lower cost cast iron ingots were being obtained from overseas sources. The Lonaconing iron furnace was shut down, and the salvageable parts resold and moved away. The George's Creek Coal and Iron Company concentrated on its coal mining operations thereafter.

Today, the Iron Furnace superstructure is the center-piece for the Iron Furnace Park in Lonaconing; an area used for local events and gatherings. With good lighting and electrical outlets available, the park has hosted private parties and weddings in addition to the traditional "Sunday in the Park" event of food, entertainment, and craft shows.

The Iron Furnace is listed on the National Register of Historical Places (National Park Service) as the Lonaconing Furnace, Structure Number 73000886 (also as the George's Creek Coal and Iron Company Furnace Number One). J. N. Harris is listed as the supervising architect (or engineer).