Swatara Furnace is a well-preserved and easily accessible historical relic located on the edge of the adventure-packed St. Anthony’s Wilderness.
Swatara Furnace is located in a gap between Second Mountain in the striated ridges and valleys region, about half an hour north of Lebanon, PA. Swatara furnace was constructed circa 1830 and was the first charcoal iron furnace in Schuylkill County.
Swatara Furnace was built by Dr. George N. Eckert and Simon Guilford. Eckert was president of the Lorberry Railroad and member of the 30th Congress of the United States. Guilford was an engineer involved in the construction of the Erie Canal and the Union Canal.
Swatara was a charcoal hot blast furnace. Hot blast furnace technology was first introduced to American furnaces from Scotland in the 1830s. In contrast to the earlier cold blast furnaces, air was preheated by the heat of furnace before being blasted into the bosh. This significantly increased efficiency and allowing the furnace to reach hotter temperatures.
Operation of the furnace was short lived. There are conflicting reports, but it appears that the partnership between Eckert and Guilford was dissolved and Swatara Furnace was abandoned in 1855. A forge was later built about 100 feet from the furnace stack. Who built the forge and for how long it was in operation is not clear.
The furnace was the heart of an iron plantation, essentially a company town supporting the iron making enterprise. In addition to the furnace stack, you can see the remains of the water wheel pit, and dam breast on mill creek. The iron master’s mansion is a private residence across Mill Creek. A foreman’s house, a worker’s house, and a barn are also extant on private property.
Swatara Furnace is located at 40.542992, -76.489982.
There is a parking lot that can accommodate about four vehicles. The furnace is just off a paved access road to the Lebanon Reservoir water works, a few hundred feet from the parking lot, making it highly accessible.
While you are in the neighborhood, you can explore these nearby adventures:
Opportunities at Swatara State Park
Be sure to check out our other adventures.
