Illionois Iron Furnance
Once used to smelt iron ore that was collected from the nearby mines, this once-functioning furnace is now a fascinating historic site in the Shawnee National Forest.
Guide Sections
Use Illionois Iron Furnance's guide sections to understand how this stop fits into the larger park plan.
Illionois Iron Furnance Details
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Once used to smelt iron ore that was collected from the nearby mines, this once-functioning furnace is now a fascinating historic site in the Shawnee National Forest. It was built between 1837 and 1839 although it stopped producing crude iron due to transportation shortages caused by the Civil War. Unfortunately, a large part of the foundation of the furnace was damaged when a nearby highway was built in the 1930s. In order to preserve what was left of the site, it was reconstructed by the US Forest Services and now serves as a reminder of Illinois once-thriving iron mining industry.