Beckley Iron Furnace photos 7-5-2003

Here are a few views of the Beckley Furnace complex taken on July 5, 2003 -- the first day that the old plant offices were open to visitors -- and on July 25 of the same year. Please click on any of the pictures to see it full-sized.

Beckley Furnace from the front

View from the bridge leading to the slag heaps

Seen from across the Blackberry River

Viewed from further upriver

Restored hearth of the furnace

Pipes to blow heated air into the furnace (see next photo for explanation)

Everything you ever wanted to know about a Tuyere Arch

A view up the stack!

Turbine mechanism used to start the process of converting water power to heated air blown into the furnace

The dam -- great water volume in these pictures due to our wet spring and recent rainfall

Some kids who were visiting Beckley that day.

View from the top of the dam

Previous family group, seen from the top of the dam

In the office: an actual Tuyere tip -- used to blow hot air into the furnace (pigs of iron in front)

In the office: doorway detail. Not elaborate, but nice for the paymaster's office of a blast furnace!

In the office: the original Paymaster's window

Current exhibit -- Iron industry art by Walter Michaels

Current exhibit: Charcoal burning

Current exhibit: water wheel driving blower (preceded turbine)

A "Salamander" -- formed when the molten iron solidifies INSIDE the furnace. In this business, a salamander is a REAL problem!

Cutaway view of a slag heap across the Blackberry River

Some "Beckley slag"

Abandoned machinery near the slag heap

More abandoned machinery

Some photos of Beckley Furnace in 2003

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