About 20 years ago, while exploring the western part of my then-recently adopted home state, I passed through a small town named Lonaconing and stopped to see its iron furnace. Although located in Maryland, the town somehow reminded me of places I'd seen in rural Pennsylvania. Even the name, by ending in "-ing", seemed reminiscent of the Keystone State, in which there are towns or counties named Wyoming, Lycoming and Wyalusing. (The name "Wyoming", although given to a western state, actually originates in Pennsylvania.) The pictures in this post, as you might expect, are from a much more recent visit.
The Lonaconing furnace was the first in America to produce iron by burning coke, and was used from 1839 to 1856. Long after it was closed, a high school was built in the area in front of the furnace, but today the area is a park. Several lampposts stand in front of the furnace, which may be reached by walking up a few stairs. Behind and above the furnace is a residential street.
From this angle, you can see the furnace, the stone wall in front of it, and a lot of trees.
This is one of the furnace's internal passages, which sadly includes some litter.
To the left of the large central opening, seen in the first picture, is this historical plaque.
The park includes this large piece of iron and an educational display.
This railcar was used for hauling coal. Behind it are the furnace, a children's play area, and a house on the street above the park.
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