Catawba

Dates of Operation

Originally built in 1830 and out of blast by 1849, the Catawba Furnace was re-furbished during the civil war as part of the Tredegar Iron Works only to go out of blast again in 1865.

History

"Catawba Charcoal Furnace, situated on Catawba Creek in Botetourt county Virginia, eleven miles west of Fincastle, was built about 1830, abandoned in 1849 and is now dilapidated." (Lesley 1859, 72 See References)

see The Virginias, 1883 article

Location

Catawba Furnace is located on Route 600 in western Botetourt County approximately 1/4 mile north of the intersection with Route 779 at the Cement Plant. It is right beside the bridge over Catawba Creek. It is located on US Forest Service property.

LAT: N37° 28.359'
LONG: W80° 00.058'

Topozone Map

Location Access

Observation available from public road.

Category 1 Access: Federal, State or Town owned property.
Selected Utility Company properties. Historical Society or Museum.

A complete list of all access categories may be found here.

At all sites, respect the property of others. Please remember that permission must be granted prior to entering private, posted or restricted properties. Industrial artifacts remain at many locations. Regardless of size, each artifact represents a bit of history; look but please do not remove. (Access System adapted from: Kirby 1998, 93 See References)

Photos

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Catawba Furnace, November 2005

Collapse of the front of the furnace caused by vandals taking the iron lintels.

Outfall basin for waterwheel, very much intact.

Sign at furnace site erected by US Forest Service.