Hopewell (on Hammer Creek)
Encyclopedia
Hopewell is where Peter Grubb, who founded Cornwall, Pennsylvania
in 1737, first began his iron making activities about 1739. It is an area about six miles southeast of Cornwall, in Lancaster County. Grubb built two forges
on Hammer Creek, called the Upper and Lower Hopewell Forges, to complement his Cornwall Iron Furnace
that began operation in 1742. His mansion still stands nearby.
Hopewell became an integral part of the Grubb family's ironworks, founded by Peter Grubb and owned and operated after 1765 by his sons Curtis
and Peter
. Peter Jr. lived in the mansion and ran the Hopewell Forges while Curtis lived at Cornwall and operated the Cornwall Iron Furnace. Robert Coleman
acquired most of the Grubb properties beginning in 1783, including the Hopewell Forges in 1802. While it is unclear when Hopewell ceased operations, it produced 250 tons in 1833. It probably closed before 1854 when Coleman's Speedwell Forge
, also on Hammer Creek, was shut down.
There is little left of the forges today except a few remnants of the dams at the creek. But Peter Grubb's can still be seen on present-day Route 322.
Hopewell on Hammer Creek should not be confused with Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site
.
Cornwall, Pennsylvania
Cornwall is a borough in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of the Lebanon, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 3,486 at the 2000 census.-History:...
in 1737, first began his iron making activities about 1739. It is an area about six miles southeast of Cornwall, in Lancaster County. Grubb built two forges
Forges
-In France:*Forges, Charente-Maritime, in the Charente-Maritime department*Forges, Maine-et-Loire, in the Maine-et-Loire department*Forges, Orne, in the Orne department*Forges, Seine-et-Marne, in the Seine-et-Marne department*Forgès, in the Corrèze department...
on Hammer Creek, called the Upper and Lower Hopewell Forges, to complement his Cornwall Iron Furnace
Cornwall Iron Furnace
Cornwall Iron Furnace is a designated National Historic Landmark that is administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission in Cornwall, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The furnace was a leading Pennsylvania iron producer from 1742 until it was shut down in 1883...
that began operation in 1742. His mansion still stands nearby.
Hopewell became an integral part of the Grubb family's ironworks, founded by Peter Grubb and owned and operated after 1765 by his sons Curtis
Curtis Grubb
Curtis Grubb , Patriot and oldest son of Peter and Martha Bates Grubb, was a second-generation member of the Grubb Family Iron Dynasty along with his younger brother Peter Jr...
and Peter
Peter Grubb, Jr.
Peter Grubb, Jr. , Patriot and second son of Peter and Martha Bates Grubb, was a second-generation member of the Grubb Family Iron Dynasty along with his older brother Curtis Grubb...
. Peter Jr. lived in the mansion and ran the Hopewell Forges while Curtis lived at Cornwall and operated the Cornwall Iron Furnace. Robert Coleman
Robert Coleman
Robert Coleman was an Irish-American industrialist who rose from a holding clerkship at a prothonotary's office in Philadelphia to bookkeeper at Cornwall Iron Furnace to becoming Pennsylvania's first millionaire.-Iron baron:...
acquired most of the Grubb properties beginning in 1783, including the Hopewell Forges in 1802. While it is unclear when Hopewell ceased operations, it produced 250 tons in 1833. It probably closed before 1854 when Coleman's Speedwell Forge
Speedwell Forge
Speedwell Forge was built in 1760 in Elizabeth Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. It operated continuously until 1854, when it closed as iron production moved west. The following are notes collected while researching the associated ironmaster's mansion for a National Historic Register...
, also on Hammer Creek, was shut down.
There is little left of the forges today except a few remnants of the dams at the creek. But Peter Grubb's can still be seen on present-day Route 322.
Hopewell on Hammer Creek should not be confused with Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site
Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site
Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site in southeastern Berks County, near Elverson, Pennsylvania, is an example of an American 19th century rural "iron plantation"...
.