This is the ruin of a 19th century iron smelter found near Stamp Creek in the Etowah river valley in north Georgia. It is in a protected forest, wildlife management area. We anticipated a 3 mile hike round trip, but when arriving at the parking area found the gate open, so we just drove to within 200 feet of the furnace. This furnace is one of more than a dozen iron smelters that operated in this area in the mid 19th century to provide iron for the Confederacy. The ruins of six of the furnaces still exist, and two more ruins are submerged deep below the surface of Lake Allatoona.
Some of these furnaces were destroyed by Sherman during the Civil War. A few resumed operation after the war, but all were shut down by 1880.
We tried to visit another of the six remaining furnace sites, and were looking forward to another hike, it being described as - "This is a remote area, so it would be a good idea to let someone know where you are going, especially if you go alone." The drive toward the site provided breathtaking views of the mountains, and lots of virgin timber, BUT upon arriving at the designated coordinates, we discovered not a remote area, but the construction site of the new Veteran's Administration Georgia National Cemetery. Yes, almost 800 acres being stripped of trees. All that could be seen was red Georgia clay and giant earthmoving machines. It was sad to see the land being abused, and thinking of all the animals being displaced that used to call it home - deer, bear, turkeys, etc.
I realize cemeteries are a part of our culture, but just think, when all the baby boomers are dead and buried, will the US just be one big cemetery? Anyway, I am hoping that they will preserve the historic furnace on the site and incorporate it into the landscape of the cemetery, I believe it would be an appropriate addition to the plan.
