Antietam Iron Furnace Site and Antietam Village

Antietam Iron Furnace Site and Antietam Village is an archaeological complex with stone foundations, a four-arch bridge, and multiple residential structures from the industrial era. The grounds span about 50 acres and reveal the physical infrastructure of a colonial-period iron-making community.

The furnace opened in 1768 and operated until 1775, producing iron during a critical period of colonial American industrial growth. It emerged at a time when the colonies were building their own manufacturing capabilities.

The village layout shows how workers and their families lived right beside the production facilities, organizing their daily lives around the industrial rhythms. Walking through, you can see where homes stood and how closely residential areas connected to the working spaces.

The site features interpretive panels explaining the iron-making process and how the industrial community operated. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes and plan time to explore the sprawling grounds with their various structural remains.

The grounds include a stone dam, a water race, and a wheel pit that demonstrate how early Americans harnessed water power. These features show how engineering knowledge was directly embedded in the production methods of the time.

Location: Washington County

GPS coordinates: 39.41690,-77.74250

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:09