I thought I would share more Stafford Flint Furnace photos for #sepiasaturday. The Stafford Flint Furnace is a historic location at the Susquehanna State Park in Havre de Grace, Maryland. It is all that remains of the town of Stafford.
The old furnace now has several large cracks and has a lean to it.
The plaque above reads:
"The "flint furnace" is all that remains of the once thriving town of Stafford. Beginning in 1749 with the building of the Rock Forge, an iron works, by George Rock, a succession of furnaces, forges and mills, and other industries occupied the surrounding area. The population of the town fluctuated with the fortunes of the men who owned the companies. During one prosperous era the town boasted a school, boarding house and post office. Much of the town was destroyed by an ice gorge in 1904 after several years of decline."
"Various types of china that were similar to what was made using the flint from the Stafford Flint Furnace."
"The flint furnace was the last of these industries to survive. White flint was quarried several miles north of Stafford and brought to the furnace by wagons on the canal. The flint was layered in the furnace alternating with wood and set a fire. Heat from the fire drove water out of the flint, cracking it and reducing it to large pebbles. These pebbles were ground into a fine powder. Washed and bagged the flint powder was sent by canal to Trenton, N.J. where it was used to porcelainize pots and pans and to make porcelain china."
It's hard and sad to imagine that an entire town is no longer there and all that is left is the furnace.
The area is very scenic and I can't help but wonder how it may have looked many years ago.
We only saw a handful of people on our visit on this particular day. Well...a handful of people and one dog!
The Furnace is made of granite (from Port Deposit, Maryland), stones and bricks. The top brick portion of the furnace has been described as being shaped like a beehive.
Last photo! This is the view across from the furnace and shows part of the bridge we walked across to get to the park.
Thank you @old-guy-photos for #sepiasaturday!!
