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Dave Thomas | profile | all galleries >> South Central Pennsylvania >> Pine Grove Furnace SP tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Pine Grove Furnace SP

Pine Grove Furnace State Park is located just east of Chambersburg, surrounded by Michaux State Forest. The area also held Laurel Forge which made wrought iron from the pig iron produced here. The furnace was established in 1764 and operations continued at this site until 1895. Early iron furnaces were built in seemingly remote areas in order to locate them where there was iron ore, limestone and forest for making charcoal readily available in order to minimize transportation requirements.

This gallery began when we stopped here for a travel break while returning from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. As that was a Thanksgiving weekend, daylight hours were short and we barely scratched the surface of the recreational resources here. There are two lakes, camping, swimming and a rail trail several miles in length among the offerings.

Furnace Stack
Furnace Stack
Sign: Furnace View
Sign: Furnace View
Another View
Another View
Sign: Furnace Operating
Sign: Furnace Operating
Ironmaking Basics
Ironmaking Basics
Stack - East Side
Stack - East Side
Sign: Distant View
Sign: Distant View
Another Furnace View
Another Furnace View
Tapping Ports
Tapping Ports
Looking Up
Looking Up
Furnace Suroundings
Furnace Suroundings
Making Iron 1
Making Iron 1
Iron Making 2
Iron Making 2