Catoctin Furnace
Encyclopedia
Catoctin Furnace was constructed in 1774 by four brothers Thomas
, Baker, Roger and James Johnson to produce pig iron
from locally mined hematite
.
In blast
by 1776,
the furnace provided ammunition (cannon balls) for the American Revolution.
Some sources state that it also provided cannon.
They also state that iron from this furnace was (much later of course) used to make plates for the USS Monitor
;
however that is considered unlikely by researchers.
The Johnson brothers owned the furnaces at the site at first collectively,
and after 1793 singly, until 1811.
Ultimately, three furnaces were built at the site, each named for the site.
The first Catoctin Furnace was rebuilt a short distance away in 1787.
The second, named Isabella was built in the 1850s by Jacob Kunkel (references give dates from 1853 to 1867).
It still stands, within Cunningham Falls State Park
.
The first two furnaces burned charcoal
.
The third, which opened in 1873, burned coke
(some sources say anthracite coal, though this would be more costly).
The entire complex closed in 1903 (attributed to rising costs and too-late introduction of a rail
link).
The furnace remains are located in Cunningham Falls State Park
. An walking tour guide handout is available in the park's visitor center.
Thomas Johnson (governor)
Thomas Johnson was an American jurist with a distinguished political career. He was the first Governor of Maryland, a delegate to the Continental Congress and an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States....
, Baker, Roger and James Johnson to produce pig iron
Pig iron
Pig iron is the intermediate product of smelting iron ore with a high-carbon fuel such as coke, usually with limestone as a flux. Charcoal and anthracite have also been used as fuel...
from locally mined hematite
Hematite
Hematite, also spelled as haematite, is the mineral form of iron oxide , one of several iron oxides. Hematite crystallizes in the rhombohedral system, and it has the same crystal structure as ilmenite and corundum...
.
In blast
Blast furnace
A blast furnace is a type of metallurgical furnace used for smelting to produce industrial metals, generally iron.In a blast furnace, fuel and ore and flux are continuously supplied through the top of the furnace, while air is blown into the bottom of the chamber, so that the chemical reactions...
by 1776,
the furnace provided ammunition (cannon balls) for the American Revolution.
Some sources state that it also provided cannon.
They also state that iron from this furnace was (much later of course) used to make plates for the USS Monitor
USS Monitor
USS Monitor was the first ironclad warship commissioned by the United States Navy during the American Civil War. She is most famous for her participation in the Battle of Hampton Roads on March 9, 1862, the first-ever battle fought between two ironclads...
;
however that is considered unlikely by researchers.
The Johnson brothers owned the furnaces at the site at first collectively,
and after 1793 singly, until 1811.
Ultimately, three furnaces were built at the site, each named for the site.
The first Catoctin Furnace was rebuilt a short distance away in 1787.
The second, named Isabella was built in the 1850s by Jacob Kunkel (references give dates from 1853 to 1867).
It still stands, within Cunningham Falls State Park
Cunningham Falls State Park
Cunningham Falls State Park is a Maryland State Park located west of Thurmont, Maryland, USA, in the Catoctin Mountains. It features a man-made lake and its namesake waterfall, Cunningham Falls. Cunningham Falls is a cascading waterfall. It is the largest waterfall in Maryland. Catoctin...
.
The first two furnaces burned charcoal
Charcoal
Charcoal is the dark grey residue consisting of carbon, and any remaining ash, obtained by removing water and other volatile constituents from animal and vegetation substances. Charcoal is usually produced by slow pyrolysis, the heating of wood or other substances in the absence of oxygen...
.
The third, which opened in 1873, burned coke
Coke (fuel)
Coke is the solid carbonaceous material derived from destructive distillation of low-ash, low-sulfur bituminous coal. Cokes from coal are grey, hard, and porous. While coke can be formed naturally, the commonly used form is man-made.- History :...
(some sources say anthracite coal, though this would be more costly).
The entire complex closed in 1903 (attributed to rising costs and too-late introduction of a rail
Rail transport
Rail transport is a means of conveyance of passengers and goods by way of wheeled vehicles running on rail tracks. In contrast to road transport, where vehicles merely run on a prepared surface, rail vehicles are also directionally guided by the tracks they run on...
link).
The furnace remains are located in Cunningham Falls State Park
Cunningham Falls State Park
Cunningham Falls State Park is a Maryland State Park located west of Thurmont, Maryland, USA, in the Catoctin Mountains. It features a man-made lake and its namesake waterfall, Cunningham Falls. Cunningham Falls is a cascading waterfall. It is the largest waterfall in Maryland. Catoctin...
. An walking tour guide handout is available in the park's visitor center.