Description: The pictured reproduction of a map illustrates charcoal furnaces once located in the Hanging Rock Iron Region of southeastern Ohio and the bordering region of Kentucky. While iron production originated in the northeastern corner of Ohio during the first half of the nineteenth century, southern Ohioans soon dominated the industry. The most productive area was centered near Hanging Rock, along the Ohio River. By 1860, southern Ohioans had established sixty-nine iron furnaces, producing more than 100,000 tons of iron annually, across Gallia, Hocking, Jackson, Lawrence, Scioto, and Vinton Counties. The manufacturers sent much of the iron up and down the Ohio River to Cincinnati and Pittsburgh, allowing southern Ohioans to prosper. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL01193
Subjects: Iron industry; Maps--Ohio; Hanging Rock Iron Region (Ohio)--History; Charcoal industry--United States
Places: Ross County (Ohio); Pike County (Ohio); Scioto County (Ohio); Hocking County (Ohio); Vinton County (Ohio); Jackson County (Ohio); Lawrence County (Ohio); Athens County (Ohio); Meigs County (Ohio); Gallia County (Ohio);
 

Description: A sketch of Union Furnace in Lawrence County, done by Henry Howe in 1847. Lawrence County is part of an area known as "Hanging Rock Iron Region," which includes parts of Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia. The area was known for its abundance of high quality ores and minerals. Former slave owner and eventual abolitionist John Means built the first iron blast furnace north of the Ohio River during the early 1820s. It was known as the Union Furnace and was located near the city of Ironton. This image is taken from "Historical Collections of Ohio," by Henry Howe, 1847. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL04052
Subjects: Furnaces; Ohio Economy--Economy--Labor; Lawrence County (Ohio); Hanging Rock Iron Region (Ohio)--History
Places: Lawrence County (Ohio)
 

Description: This image is a reproduction of a photograph depicting the house occupied by the manager of Buckhorn Furnace in Lawrence County, Ohio. The original photograph was taken between 1865 and 1877. Wilbur Stout, former chemist at the Columbus Iron and Steel Company and Ohio's state geologist, researched and collected photographs of blast furnaces in Ohio. He received this photograph from Fred G. Leete of Ironton, Ohio. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL01196
Subjects: Iron industry; Hanging Rock Iron Region (Ohio)--History; Charcoal industry--United States
Places: Lawrence County (Ohio)
 

Description: Reverse reads: "file 10-29-39. Ironton, O. Lawrence County Court House, built in 1906." The Lawrence County Courthouse, located at 111 South 4th Street in Ironton, was completed in 1908, after 2 years of construction. The NeoClassical (Greek Revival) style building was designed by architects Richards, McCarty & Bulford and replaced the previous 2-story brick building). Constructed by the contractor J. C. Unkefer & Company, the 3-story, cut-stone building topped with a large cupola, cost $150,000 to build. The grounds of the courthouse contain several items which serve as memorials to the history of Lawrence County. Flanking the front entrance are two howitzer cannons. A replica iron furnace serves as a reminder of Ironton's roll in the Hanging Rock region, which was a leading producer of charcoal and pig iron until more modern furnaces were built elsewhere, rendering the old iron furnaces obsolete. A replica of the Statue of Liberty was presented by the Boy Scouts of America in 1951. An annex costing $2.5 million dollars was built at the rear of the building in 1978. The 3 1/2 story addition is of contemporary design and connects to the original structure by a glass ramp. The courthouse also houses the Lawrence County Bar & Library View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B08F11_007_1
Subjects: Courthouses--Ohio--History. Ohio; Hanging Rock Iron Region (Ohio)
Places: Ironton (Ohio); Lawrence County (Ohio)