Donaldson Iron Blast Furnace (also spelled Donalson/Donelson on early records)

All Text & Images: Copyright (2013)

Construction of this furnace, located on Shoal Creek, began around the start of the Civil War;   it was built by Judge
Joseph Donaldson of Cherokee County.   The story goes that Donaldson built the furnace to protect his sons from
military conscription; iron production being critical to the war effort, it would exempt his sons from military service.
The furnace was never fired (confirmed by absence of a firebox-hearth, and no evidence of iron or slag in the area).

Front of furnace (east side), facing Shoal Creek.

Front arch of furnace has collapsed, revealing exterior of inner shaft

Bustle pipes, which carried air to tuyere, at what was the top of the front arch.

The old millrace parallels Shoal Creek in front of the furnace. A water wheel here would have powered the furnace bellows.

NE corner of furnace, which had three arches (one each at front and both sides).

Small tree growing out of north-side arch

View through furnace from north-side arch.

With no firebox (hearth, crucible, bosh) present, the center of the furnace is just a square, rough-stoned chamber.   View out the south-facing arch.

From the floor at center of furnace, the coarse stone walls transition to the finer rock of the stack shaft.

View up stack - loading shaft.

Looking out the hole in the collapsed front arch, bustle pipes visible.

Another angle showing the base chamber transition to the stack-chimney. This detail is typically unseen in a furnace due to the presence of a fire chamber bosh.

Inside corner of base chamber.   The edge of the north arch is on left; edge of east arch to right.

From inside the south arch - view through central chamber and north arch to the outside.   The inside openings of the arches are approximately six (6) feet high.

Upslope, right side view (NW corner)

Furnace and adjacent loading hill, which was leveled out of the ridge in back of furnace.

View from rear slope, where charging ramp would have connected to furnace top. A muddy Shoal Creek visible in background.

View from up-slope, left side (SW corner)

South side of furnace, with tree in arch

This large tree is really damaging the structure at the south arch.

Looking in south arch opening

South-east corner of furnace

Corner of furnace foot

Woods from inside arch

Back to Furnace Index

Back to Ruins Index

To SE USA Index

All Text & Images: Copyright 2013.