Fitchburg Furnace

The Fitchburg Furnace begun in 1869 and built by masons from Ravenna, Italy, the twin stack went into operation in 1870. Measuring 60 ft. tall, 60 ft. deep and 85 feet wide, this impressive native stone structure owned and operated by the Red River Iron Manufacturing Company, became the largest charcoal-burning furnace in the world. In 1874, for a variety of reasons, the company went bankrupt and stockholders lost one million dollars when the fires went out at Fitchburg. Now National Historic Site and park open to public. This is the only double furnace in Kentucky. The inscription on its front wall reads - "Red River Furnace, Frank Fitch-Designer, Sam Worthley-Builder, 1869".

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Battlefield Trail | Historic/Cultural

Hours:
Open Year Round

Directions:
Take I-75 North to exit 90 and I-75 South to exit 90A. Follow 25/421 south for 4.2 miles to stoplight at the 52 East junction. Turn left onto 52 E and travel into Irvine. After entering downtown, take the first right at the stoplight towards Ravenna. Travel to the flashing lights on to 1571 East and you will come to a single lane underpass. Merge left at the fork in the road and follow 1571 East until it ends at Highway 52. Turn left and travel 1.3 miles. Turn right onto 1182 and immediately turn left onto 975. Proceed 3.2 miles and the camp will be on your right at the end of the road