Ardis Furnace

Ardis Furnace consists of the remains of an experimental blast furnace from the early 1900s, with concrete supports that formerly held an angled metal tube for processing iron. The structure occupies a location at the corner of Aragon and Antoine Streets and was built specifically for extracting iron from lower-quality ore deposits.

John T. Jones built this furnace in 1908 to test his Step Furnace Process, an innovative method for extracting iron from low-grade ore deposits. He named the installation after his daughter Ardis, linking his family legacy to this industrial experiment.

The site reflects how this region turned low-grade mineral deposits into a source of industrial progress and employment for the community. People passing by the ruins recognize them as a marker of the area's past importance in the manufacturing world.

The ruins sit at an accessible street corner and are visible from the road, allowing visitors to stop by at any time. Take time to examine the concrete supports and imagine the full machinery that once operated at this location.

The metal tube was positioned at an angle and powered by an electric motor, an unusual technical approach for the era when most foundries used steam power. This rotating mechanism allowed processed iron to collect at the lower end, a design choice visible only through the remaining concrete supports.

Location: Iron Mountain

GPS coordinates: 45.83694,-88.05278

Latest update: December 14, 2025 17:43