Elizabeth Furnace
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
LocationShenandoah Valley, Virginia
| Elizabeth Furnace | |
|---|---|
 Elizabeth Furnace in early spring | |
| Location | Shenandoah Valley, Virginia |
| Coordinates | 38°55′53″N 78°19′23″W / 38.93139°N 78.32306°W |
| Designated | March 17, 1999[1] |
| Reference no. | 085-0940 |
  Location of Elizabeth Furnace in Virginia | |
Elizabeth Furnace was a blast furnace in the Shenandoah Valley that was used to create pig iron from 1836 to 1888 using Passage Creek for water power. Iron ore was mined nearby, purified in the furnace, and then pig iron was transported over the Massanutten Mountain to the South Fork of the Shenandoah River for forging in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. The road used to transport this iron is still used today by hikers climbing to the top of the Massanutten Mountain via the Massanutten Trail. Much of the original stone structure still exists, as well as a restored cabin, and an outdoor recreation area.[2]
