Lewis Iron Blast Furnace aka Oak Grove Furnace, on Stamp Creek

All Text & Images: Copyright (2013)

The Lewis Furnace, built in 1847 on Stamp Creek, was owned by Dr. John W. Lewis, of Cartersville, and operated by
T.A. Jones.   With changes in ownership after the Civil War, it was later referred to as one of the two Thomas & Brown,
or Bear Mountain furnaces, specifically the Oak Grove Furnace.   This is one of the best preserved furnaces built in Cass
(now Bartow) County in the 1800s that remain standing today.   In addition to Lewis, the names of Andrew Stroup, Samuel
Earle, Joseph E. Brown, John D. Thomas, and James R. Brown are often associated with this furnace, as partner-owners.

View of Lewis Furnace across Stamp Creek

The top of my head came to where I drew the yellow line on this image. (...and I am rather tall !)   This structure is approximately 30 feet high.

I believe that this was the Casting Arch. The molten pig iron would have been output from this opening.

Looking into the Casting Arch at the now-broken interior bosh

The Tuyere Arch and remains of the waterway.   A water-powered wheel here would have powered a bellows to produce an air blast, increasing the heat of the furnace.

Vines climbing up the wall...

North-west corner of the furnace

Vine on tree at base of furnace wall

Broken bosh at center (from inside casting arch)

Debris-filled crucible and bosh

Looking up the stack - loading hole

This view shows the Casting Arch on the left side, and the Tuyere Arch on the right.

Tuyere Arch

Stone bosh and crucible through Tuyere Arch

Tuyere (blown air) inlet pipe at base

Bosh on left, showing stone base transitioning to brick; stone exterior structure of furnace on right.

Broken bosh wall from tuyere arch

Vines crawling over the corner

Adjacent Processing Building foundation

One more overall view of Lewis Furnace

Charcoal blast furnace diagram

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All Text & Images: Copyright 2013.