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CATOCTIN FURNACE

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1774–1904. 12607–12714 Catoctin Furnace Rd.
  • (Alexander Heilner)
  • (Alexander Heilner)
  • Iron Works Museum (Alexander Heilner)
  • Iron Works Museum (Alexander Heilner)
  • (Alexander Heilner)
  • (Alexander Heilner)
  • (Alexander Heilner)

The former company town of Catoctin Furnace is illustrative of the iron industry that developed in this area. The first of three furnaces was erected in 1774 and two more in the 1850s, including the now preserved “Isabella.” Representative stone, log, and frame workers’ housing remain, including a stone cottage now serving as the Museum of the Iron Worker (c. 1820; 12610 Catoctin Furnace), and the only remaining two-story log house (c.1810, c. 1830; 12607 Catoctin Furnace). The log house once inhabited by the town’s collier is now a museum and interpretative center. Both buildings are operated by the Ca-toctin Furnace Historical Society. Among the items produced here were iron tools, household utensils, and stoves, and its labor force included African American blacksmiths and forge men. Also extant is Fraley’s General Store (c. 1900; 12625 Catoctin Furnace). The furnace complex was established by Thomas Johnson of Rose Hill and his brothers, James, Roger, and Baker. Operations ceased in 1903.

Writing Credits

Author: 
Lisa Pfueller Davidson and Catherine C. Lavoie
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Data

Timeline

  • 1774

    First furnace erected

  • 1850

    Two additional furnaces erected

  • 1810

    Log house built

  • 1820

    Stone cottage built (now Museum of the Iron Worker)

  • 1900

    Fraley's General Store built

  • 1903

    Operations ceased

What's Nearby

CATOCTIN MOUNTAIN PARK
HERITAGE FARM PARK (HARRIS FARM)
WOOD MILL FARM
FOUNTAIN ROCK LIME COMPANY
TIPAHATO

Citation

Lisa Pfueller Davidson and Catherine C. Lavoie, "CATOCTIN FURNACE", [Thurmont, Maryland], SAH Archipedia, eds. Gabrielle Esperdy and Karen Kingsley, Charlottesville: UVaP, 2012—, http://sah-archipedia.org/buildings/MD-01-WM21.

Print Source

Buildings of Maryland, Lisa Pfueller Davidson and Catherine C. Lavoie. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2022, 348-348.

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