Porterfield Iron Furnace
N 41° 13.908 W 079° 42.935
17T E 607643 N 4565284
Challenging hike, big reward. Near Franklin Pa.
Waymark Code: WMRXC
Location: Pennsylvania, United States
Date Posted: 10/01/2006
Views: 105
a geocache hidden here. Must cross a rapidly flowing stream to get this one. Area is used by campeers. High cliff wall borders stream. NOT agood one for little children.
Ws in operation from 1837 - 1852.
copied from (
visit link)
Porterfield (aka Glen or Mill Creek) - is along Mill Creek in Rockland Township. It was built in 1837-1838 by Joseph Porterfield(s&t). In 1837 40 hands were working at the operation(pbd). Charles Shippen bought the furnace and operated it until it was abandoned in 1851-1852. Until about 1959 this furnace was in excellent condition. At that time an ice gorge or high water on Mill Creek undermined one corner and its outer wall collapsed giving a great view of the inner stack which is still in good shape. Cast house foundation(s&t) and wheel pit walls(rp) are visible. Two difficult transits to the furnace are along and down into the waters of Mill Creek, or down a treacherous gulley from above the furnace to the north. The remains, although in poor condition, are magnificent and worth the effort to see(P)(V)(rp-1977, is,dd-2005).