Walkers Forge Traditional Geocache
OReviewer: Hello,
As there's been no response to the earlier note, I am forced to archive this listing. This will it to keep it from showing up in search lists, and to prevent it from blocking other cache placements.
Please note that if geocaches are archived by a reviewer or Geocaching HQ for lack of maintenance, they are not eligible for unarchival.
Thanks,
-OReviewer
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(micro)
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A small camoed container which shouldn't be hard to find. Enjoy the history of the area. Parking can be found along the road but please make sure to pull off the road. Area not safe for children or pets due to heavy traffic at times.
Walkers's Forge
Walker's Forge was located nearby on South River, just east of present Belcoville. It was built by young Lewis M. Walker, who was born in Berks County, Pa., in 1791. At the young age of twenty, he became the manager of the large Weymouth Furnace. As this furnace ran out of bog iron, Walker traveled to Tuckahoe in search of iron ore. He liked what he saw, purchased land along South River, and in 1820 left Weymouth works to build his own furnace. He got approval to dam the river for water power for a forge and sawmill. He also built himself a beautiful two-story Jersey ironstone mansion on Maple Avenue, which I remember as a youngster. It was since carried away, stone by stone, to build fireplaces.
The dimensions of the furnace were 30' high, by 30' square at the bottom, which tapered to 15' square at the top. A long ramp was also used to feed the furnace. It was said that eight wagonloads of charcoal were needed each day. Approximately one hundred men were employed, including those who produced the charcoal from the hand-cut wood and branches. Pipes and fittings were cast as well as stoves. Iron bands and fittings were made, along with nails and tools.
The local iron industry died out after the 1860's as the supply of bog ore and wood was depleted. (The old bog iron furnaces required charcoal from 1,000 acres of woods per year.) Meanwhile, iron ore deposits and hard coal were discovered in western Pennsylvania in great quantities. New and more efficient smelting operations were started there around 1840 and later developed by Andrew Carnegie.
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