Old Iron Furnaces of Venango & Clarion Counties, PA (1820 - 1850)

[@Midge1k]

I always wondered what the channels were that are next to the Rockland furnace . The water wheel and bellows make perfect sense and thank you for the extensive history lesson

[@aturner7332]

Nice job, thanks for posting.

[@stevechurchill1481]

Nice video! We have been working on finding these around Venango County, I imagine tougher than when you did with your Dad, many have been reclaimed, fallen in or now exist of private property. The list we work with is from a 1960's book found in the Franklin, PA library.

[@wabisabi6875]

Nice presentation, thanks for sharing!

[@sheff11245]

Thank you for your kind comment. Rick

[@samgregg4833]

Thank you for the great presentation, very nicely done! (BTW you've got a great narrating voice- a bit like David McCullough). My gg-grandfather, Robert Gregg, who was born in Venango County in 1830 (approx.) and was listed as a blacksmith in his Civil War discharge papers. I'm always looking for information about his life in Venango County and your presentation's discussion of the micro-economies that supported these furnaces may offer a clue as to how he might have been lured into a profession as a blacksmith- a stretch perhaps but plausible I suppose.

[@CyndiFink]

Thanks for the history! I always look for furnaces (and beehive ovens) while bike riding and just found the Rockland one last year. Being able to go inside it made me understand how it worked. Still amazing to me these things were roaring in the PA forests 200 years ago.

[@sheff11245]

They are amazing. Thanks for your comment.

[@Say10198]

I've grew up in the area an have seen a few around like in Kennedale. Thanks for the video Rick 👍

[@stephenradack1092]

Great to see this presentation after reading your book. My grandmother grew up in Emlenton too. I went there many years to her parents farm. She was a Gibb.

[@berkscatbill5582]

I've seen these old structures in Pennsylvania as a scout. They were ominous looking. We were told they were old smelting furnaces. Thanks for the back story.

[@jimstates321]

Very good! Thank you

[@rickmortimer7307]

You should do a story on the Brady's Bend Iron Works. Just across the river in Armstrong County.

[@sheff11245]

I am not familiar with it. I will look and see if there is information about it on Google. Thanks. Rick

[@richardgalli7262]

I enjoyed this video also and thank you for recommending it

[@sheff11245]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@extremecowgirl3629]

Just found your video! Me and my son have hiking, exploring and researching some old sights in Mercer/venango etc. Recently we started hunting down these furnaces, as a side to exploring old tunnels etc. We just today explored one that's not frequented by the public, trailblazing was required... Boy was it worth it! Wondered if you knew of any tunnels or other old sights?

[@sheff11245]

Hi Extreme, the Rockland furnace is the best one in Venango County to visit. There is a beautiful waterfall there too. R

[@TheTrock121]

I live in Port Matilda not far from Martha Furnace in Centre County. I've found a large semi circle on the hill that has an old logging road coming down to it. I imagine it was used to make charoal for the furnace. Someday I may dig down a bit and see if I can find some.

[@sheff11245]

I was excited when dad and I found an old iron pig. Good luck on your search. Rick

[@stephenradack1092]

Great to see this presentation after reading your book. My grandmother grew up in Emlenton too. I went there many years to her parents farm. She was a Gibb.