Clinton Furnace, historic ironworks in Passaic County, New Jersey
Clinton Furnace is an old ironworks in West Milford, New Jersey, where raw materials were processed into metal under extreme heat. The structure consists of large stone and brick walls shaped like a massive chimney, built to withstand the intense fires that melted the iron.
The ironworks was built in the late 1700s and quickly became an important center of local industry. For decades, it supplied surrounding communities with iron for tools, horseshoes, and other essential metal products.
Clinton Furnace served as the economic center of a small community that grew around its operations. The workers and their families shaped daily life in the area, creating bonds through the shared effort needed to keep the furnace running.
The site is free to visit and accessible at any time. The surrounding land is open and offers walking trails through natural landscapes, allowing you to explore both the ruins and the area at your own pace.
The location was chosen for its proximity to forests for charcoal and water sources for power. This strategic placement shows how early industrialists relied on natural resources to fuel their operations.
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