A Mysterious Woodland Trail In Kentucky Will Take You To The Original Center Furnace Ruins
By Sarah McCosham|Published October 04, 2021
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
There’s something magical about happening upon old, abandoned ruins while traipsing through the Kentucky wilds. It will bring out the adventurer in you, igniting your inner curiosity and explorer! Within Kentucky’s Land Between the Lakes, you’ll find the Center Furnace, one of eight iron furnaces that operated from the mid-1800s and into the early 1900s. This massive, crumbling brick furnace is a well-known landmark that’s reachable via a 0.3-mile loop trail, making it one of the most accessible hikes in the Bluegrass State for those looking to explore one of Kentucky’s most mysterious abandoned ruins.
Land Between the Lakes is one of the most beautiful places in Kentucky; an untamed expanse full of wildlife, foliage, and beautiful natural features.
During the industrial revolution in the 1820s, the demand for iron was at an all-time high. The iron industry in Land Between the Lakes was part of a regional industry that stretched from western Kentucky well into Tennessee. The rivers in the area provided inexpensive transportation to iron markets.
The Land Between the Lakes was once home to eight iron furnaces; today, just two remain: the Great Western Furnace and Center Furnace. Curious explorers can view the Center Furnace ruins along the eponymous Center Furnace Trail.
In its heyday, the Center Furnace used about 2,000 bushels of charcoal, two tons of limestone, and nearly 30 tons of iron ore in a 24-hour period. The furnace was a veritable workhorse, churning out iron around the clock, six days a week.
The site also includes other remnants of the industry, including decrepit iron pits and old cisterns.
The Center Furnace Trail offers a unique glimpse into a prosperous -- but fleeting -- moment in Kentucky history. And in the fall, there's a haunting quality to this hike that makes it even more fun... and mysterious!
