Washington Iron Furnace, Industrial heritage site in Rocky Mount, Virginia.
Washington Iron Furnace is a granite blast furnace in Rocky Mount, Virginia, built against a hillside to facilitate efficient movement of raw materials. The structure rises approximately 30 feet and was designed so wagons could deliver ore along the ridge.
Colonel John Donelson established the furnace in 1773 and sourced magnetite ore from nearby mines for production. The operation thrived through the late 1700s and shaped the region's industrial development for decades to come.
The furnace changed its name from The Bloomery to Washington Iron Works in 1779 to honor George Washington during the Revolutionary War period.
The site is accessible by foot on walking paths and provides good views of the furnace remains and surrounding landscape. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes since the ground is uneven and the location sits on a slope.
The structure suffered severe damage in 1850 when a dam failure on Furnace Creek sent hot water against the facility. The resulting cracks from thermal shock ended active iron production at the site.
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