This was an FEBT Rockhill Restoration work weekend.
Bedford Furnace House [2005apr2,bfhouse1]
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This house is believed to be the oldest in Orbisonia, dating from the 1830's. The
Bedford iron furnace would have been very close by. The house's 20th century makeup
hides the character of the house save for the chimney.
Bedford Furnace House [2005apr2,bfhouse2]
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The local historical society has been restoring the interior as time and money allow,
and already the house looks it's age (in a good way!).
Furnace [2005apr2,furn1]
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I'm not really good at furnace names. This stone furnace is on the north side of
Blacklog narrows, just outside of Orbisonia. All that is left is the bosh portion.
Furnace [2005apr2,furn2]
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This is the second stone furnace in Blacklog narrows, also on the north side,
maybe a hundred yards east of the one pictured above. Again, little remains except
the very bottom.
Rockhill Furnace [2005apr2,ric1]
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At the site of the new Rockhill furnace, along the RI&C tramway, now in use
by the Rockhill Trolley Museum.
Rockhill Furnace [2005apr2,ric2]
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Discussion of the Rockhill furnace.
RI&C Ore Mines [2005apr2,oremines]
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Above the tracks on the south side of the narrows, hikers examine the location
of the lower opening of the "South Fossil" iron ore mine, which fed the Rockhill
furnaces.
Blacklog [2005apr2,blacklog]
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The trolley platform "Blacklog", at the east end of the narrows.
Trough Creek State Park [2005apr2,trough]
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After seeing ruins of five furnaces, and site of a completely gone sixth,
attendees stopped by Trough Creek State Park to see a better preserved example.
It is crubling badly nonetheless.
Trough Creek State Park [2005apr2,trough2]
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From behind, the supports for the charging platform at the top of the stack
are obvious.
Hopper 802 [2005apr2,hopper]
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A brief summary of restoration activities was given to hike attendees by the
various project leaders.
Three Bridges [2005apr2,3bridges]
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The three bridges in Blacklog narrows: past, present, and future.
Mt Union Connecting RR [2005apr2,mtc]
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Ties going under the three-rail south of the Mt Union yard. That rise in the road
marks the beginning of the new 522 bypass. The older alignment followed the
streetlights along the left, while the bypass now dips down to the right, crossing
the EBT just before the first yard switch.
Metal [2005apr2,metal]
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That is, the village of "Metal", east of Tuscarora Mountain, between the turnpike
and US 30. This, the "Carrick" furnace, is in very good shape, and includes metal
components like the blast pump in the foreground.
page by Bill Adams
