Pioneer Furnace
38.800559, -82.615896
Ironton Register, February 19, 1857 – Pioneer Furnace – New furnace in Washington
Tp., midway between Olive and Washington Furnace, began on February 6th. Stone Coal
Furnace, FIRST to manufacture Pig Iron with Stone Coal in Lawrence County. Pioneer
is the 13th furnace built in Lawrence County. Pioneer Furnace built by Wm. Colvin, F. J. Oakes,
Uri Tracy, and Thomas Pugh, under the style of Wm. Colvin and Co., Benjamin Perry
directed the construction.
Ironton Register, February 18, 1858 – Proprietors of Pioneer
Furnace have sold out their entire interest to Mr. John L. Reed, of Jackson County.
Source: http://www.miles-shute-kouns-families.com/histories/PLACES_LAWRENCE_CO_OHIO.pdf
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.
The Lawrence County Historical Society 