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An interesting landmark changed ownership recently when the Pennsylvania Fish and Game Commission purchased Hereford Manor Lake. On the same property, but down the road, over the hill, and all but forgotten, stands the remains of the Bassenheirn Iron Furnace.
In the book "A Guide to the Old Stone Blast Furnaces in Western Pennsylvania" by Myron Sharp and William Thomas, we learn the following:
Bassenheim Furnace was built in 1814 by Dr. Detmar Basse, founder of Zelienople. This furnace was sold to Daniel Beltzhoover in 1818. Its capacity was 5 tons of pigs and castings a week. Out of blast since 1824, a good portion of this furnace still is standing. Some of the outer wall is visible, and a section of one. side of the inner wall rises several feet above the ground.
To reach this furnace, go west on Pa. 288 from Zelienople. One-half mile west of the junction of Pa. 288 and Pa. 588, L.R. 04034 comes in from the south. Park here and you will see an old lane which runs along the hillside on the left just above L.R. 04034; follow this lane for about 100 feet to the ruins of the old stack. Although the furnace is near Zelienople, and Dr. Basse lived in Zelienople, the furnace is located in Beaver County.
Through the efforts of Mrs. Laurence Zeigler, Chairman of District Three for the Beaver County Historical Research Et Landmarks Foundation, the furnace site has been made available to the Foundation for development of a historical park. We think this would be a fine community Bicentennial project for Franklin Township, and we hope that something will come from the opportunity.
The blast furnace guide list two other old furnaces in Beaver County:
Beaver Falls Furnace (Brighton Furnace) was built in 1808 by Hoopes, Townsend and Company, near the "Middle Falls" on the Beaver River. In 1812 Frederick Rapp of the Harmony Society at Economy was supposed to have tried to purchase the property for $32,000 but was unsuccessful. Dr. Lawrence Thurman, Curator at Old Economy, says he never has found anything in the records of the Harmony Society to verify this statement.
In 1826 the furnace was blown out. This furnace was located, according to a map dated 1832 in the files at Old Economy, on the north side of Walnut Run where it enters the Beaver River. On the old map it was called "Breighton Furnace."
Homewood Furnace was built in 1858, on the Beaver Canal a little south of the junction of Connoquenessing Creek - and the Beaver River, by James Wood of Pittsburgh and operated until 1867 or 1868.
To reach this site go to Ellwood City and follow Pa. 351 west and south toward Koppel. About 1/4 mile before Pa. 351 turns right down the hill you will see a blacktop road (L.R. 04017) to the left. Across Pa. 351 from this road a lane goes straight west. Follow this lane to its end in Ellwood City's town dump. Below the dump there are heaps of coke slag. Beside the lane leading to the dump is a sunken road which we believe to be the roadbed of the railroad which was in service when the furnace was in operation. On the hillside below the furnace site (dump) are several building foundations. One of these, an extra strong foundation, probably was the blower or compressor house.