ABCs of Centre County

X marks the spot! – Centre Furnace
The ironmaking community of Centre Furnace matched in size and activities the 18th-century iron plantations of southeastern Pennsylvania. Huge landholdings provided the natural resources to operate the furnace – high quality iron ore, limestone for flux, and hardwood (an acre a day) for charcoal. A large labor force was essential to the operation. Woodcutters, colliers, hostlers, fillers, gutterman, and forgemen (the artisans of the operation) were needed to make the charcoal, mine and deliver the ore and limestone, and process and transport the iron. The village of Centre Furnace included: an office, store, gristmill, sawmill, housing for workers and their families; barns, grain fields, and orchards to help make the community self sufficient; and a post office, church, and later a school. The mansion house was the center of the community where the ironmaster and his dependents lived and worked.