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Susquehanna Gateway Heritage Area - SITE
Cornwall Iron Furnace
Cornwall Iron Furnace is an extraordinary example of the furnaces that dotted the Pennsylvania countryside in the 18th and 19th centuries, but it is now the only surviving intact site of its kind in the Western Hemisphere and stands as a testament to the great iron industry that once flourished in this region.
The furnace was in operation from 1742 to 1883 and produced a variety of materials and goods, including cannon barrels used by the Continental Army in the American Revolution. So vast was the complex that it became an entity almost to itself: all the raw ingredients necessary for the smelting process were found on the plantation, and artisan shops, stores, schools, churches and village housing sprung up within the complex and around the perimeter.
Guided tours through this National Historic Landmark will explain the history of this unique site and discuss the iron manufacturing process. Special events and lectures are often on offer as well – check the current calendar on the furnace’s official web site.
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