Lawrence County, Ohio Iron Furnaces

Lawrence County, Ohio Iron Furnaces

Questions? Comments? Contact Nicole at nsratliff@gmail.com

While iron production originated in the northeastern corner of Ohio during the first half of the nineteenth century, southern Ohioans soon dominated the industry. The most productive area was centered near Hanging Rock, along the Ohio River. By 1860, southern Ohioans had established sixty-nine iron furnaces, producing more than 100,000 tons of iron annually, across Gallia, Hocking, Jackson, Lawrence, Scioto, and Vinton Counties. The manufacturers sent much of the iron up and down the Ohio River to Cincinnati and Pittsburgh, allowing southern Ohioans to prosper.

Iron Furnace Tour
Blast Furnaces 101
Hanging Rock Iron Region

Iron Men – alphabetized list of the men associated with the HRIR.
Ohio Iron & Coal Co.
Big Etna

     Etna Iron Works

     Marting Iron and Steel

Belfont
Buckhorn
Center
Grant
Hamilton
Hecla  – The Swamp Angel
Ironton
La Grange
Lawrence

      Lawrence Mill
Little Etna
Maggie (Iron & Steel)

     Ironton Rolling Mill
Monitor
Oak Ridge
Olive
Pine Grove
Pioneer
Sarah
Union
Vesuvius
Vernon
Washington

RAILROADS
IRON AND THE CEMENT INDUSTRY

1916 – A Standard History Of The Hanging Rock Iron Region Of Ohio – Vol. 1

1916 – A Standard History Of The Hanging Rock Iron Region Of Ohio – Vol. 2

Furnace Articles:

Have questions? Contact Nicole Cox at (740) 646-4104. We hope to see you there!

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About Lawrence County, Ohio

Lawrence County, Ohio borders the Ohio River at the Southernmost part of the state. Six architecturally interesting bridges span the Ohio River, connecting Lawrence County with various locations in both Kentucky and West Virginia. Because of these bridges, metropolitan Ashland, KY and Huntington, WV are just minutes away from virtually anywhere in the county.

Lawrence County Ohio was organized December 20, 1816, the first Court of Common Pleas was organized March 4, 1817. In 2016, Lawrence County celebrated its Bicentennial… click here to view photos of the Grand Finale event.

The first election was held April 7, 1817, with Joseph Davidson, Joel Bowen, and David Spurlock elected county commissioners. Their first meeting was held Monday afternoon, April 21, 1817, at the home of Joseph Davidson in Burlington.

Lawrence County, Ohio was named after Capt. James Lawrence, a native of Burlington, NJ and a gallant naval officer of the War of 1812.

Lawrence County was home to 23 blast furnaces and was once the world leader in pig iron production.

The county seat is Ironton, where you will find our government offices, restaurants, museum, library, splash park, civic organizations, and is home of the famous Memorial Day Parade.

Check out what’s new in Lawrence County, with the Lawrence County Guide Book. 

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