Welcome to Henry Clay Iron Furnace!
Welcome to Coopers Rock State Forest! One of the jewels in North Central West Virginia, Coopers Rock offers many scenic views throught its footprint - but did you know these hills were once home to a bustling iron industry? This EarthCache will focus on one byproduct of industry that can still be found in the forest - slag!
What is Slag?
Blast furnace slag is a byproduct produced during the smelting of iron ore in a blast furnace. When iron ore, coke, and limestone are heated together, the impurities in the ore combine with the limestone to form slag, which floats on top of the molten iron. This slag is then removed and can be rapidly cooled with water to form granulated blast furnace slag (forming small particles of slag), or slowly cooled to form air-cooled slag (forming large chunks of slag). Granulated slag is often used in the production of cement due to its cementitious properties, improving strength and durability in concrete. Because of its chemical stability and hardness, air-cooled slag is commonly used as a substitute for natural aggregates in road construction and other civil engineering applications. The use of blast furnace slag not only reduces waste from the steel industry but also helps conserve natural resources and lower carbon emissions in construction.
Keep your eyes peeled for slag when visiting the Henry Clay Iron Furnace!
About the Furnace
Leonard Lamb constructed the Henry Clay Iron Furnace in 1834 for the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania firm of Tassey, Morrison and Semple. Lamb presumably named the furnace Henry Clay after the Kentucky senator Henry Clay, who was a great proponent of the American iron industry. Interestingly, Lamb also named his third son Henry Clay, as well (born December 22, 1834). The Henry Clay Furnace was the first steampowered iron furnace in Western Virginia and operated until 1848. It was abandoned after its iron ore supply was depleted.
The Henry Clay Furnace was part of a larger ironworks complex. At its height in the late 1840s, this industrial complex (known as the Monongalia Iron Works), included not only the Henry Clay Furnace, but two additional iron furnaces, the Woodgrove and Anna furnaces; and a cut nail factory, a stove works, a rolling mill, puddling furnaces, sawmill, and grist mill located at Ices Ferry; plus some 14,000 acres of timber and iron ore lands in Monongalia and Preston counties. Interestingly, the footprint of Coopers Rock State Forest sits virtually on top of the footprint of this historic ironmaking tract.
Accessing the Furnace
From the parking waypoint listed below, the furnace is roughly a half mile hike along the Clay Furnace trail. The trail starts off steep, but eventually flattens out for a smooth approach.
LOGGING REQUIREMENTS
Please submit your answers within seven days of your online log.
0) What is the name and GC Code of the Earthcache you are submitting answers for?
1) Locate a piece of slag near the posted coordinates. Describe the texture, color, and appearance of the slag. Is it heavy?
2) Observing the same piece of slag, do you think it was cooled in water or air? How did you arrive to this conclusion?
3) REQUIRED - Take a photo of yourself (or a personal item) with the Iron Furnace in the background, and attach this photo to your log.
As with any EarthCache, please carefully observe the slag and replace it once you've finished the logging tasks above - this way, cachers (and non-cachers) can continue to experience this area for many years to come!
Thanks for visiting Henry Clay Iron Furnace!
EarthCache placed with permission from West Virginia State Parks.