Abandoned industrial giants – Carrie Furnaces are among the last pre-WWII blast furnaces still standing in the United States

Built in 1907, the Carrie Furnace is a derelict former blast furnace that produced iron for Homestead for 72 years; they run almost continuously until 1978. Located along the Monongahela River in the Pittsburgh area industrial town of Rankin, Pennsylvania, with 135 acres located on the north bank of the river and 33 acres on the south bank, it had formed a part of the Homestead Steel Works.

*Looking down on hot stoves from the elevated walkway. Source*

*Built in 1907, the furnaces produced iron for the Homestead Works from 1907 to 1978. source*

These massive furnaces are constructed of 2.5″ thick steel plate and lined with refractory brick. During its peak, in the 1950s and 1960s, the site produced 1,000 to 1,250 tons of iron per day. The cooling system for the blast furnace required over five million gallons of water a day. All that is left of the site are furnaces number 6 and number 7, which operated from 1907 to 1978, along with the hot metal bridge. They are extremely rare examples of pre-World War II iron-making technology.

*These furnaces reached their peak production in the 1950s and 1960s when they were producing 1000 -1250 tons of iron a day. source*

During the years, changes were made to the blast furnaces, but they remained virtually unchanged after 1936. This outdated technology was one of the main reasons that furnaces 6 and 7 were the first ones shut down when the complex began to shut down.

*Due to the industry decline in steel produced in the United States, the furnaces went cold in 1978. source*

Hand-operated valve near the hot stoves. The plant was last overhauled in the 1930s, and is operated almost entirely by hand. It is believed to be the only remaining example of pre-WWII blast furnace technology. — A hand-operated valve near the hot stoves. The plant was last overhauled in the 1930s and is operated almost entirely by hand. It is believed to be the only remaining example of pre-WWII blast furnace technology. Source

In 2005, they were sold to Allegheny County for $5.75 million. Underground fuel storage tanks were removed in 1994 along with two above ground fuel storage units. In addition, asbestos from the buildings was removed. The soil was contaminated with PCBs and sulfates. Environmental assessment of the site has been conducted in two phases. The first phase was completed in 2007 and the second is currently underway. The site, however, is not readily accessible as it is enclosed by railroad tracks.

Massize Iron Furnace — *Massive Iron Furnace. source*

Loaker and a fridge — *Locker and a fridge. source*

Partners in the redevelopment of Carrie Furnace include Allegheny County, several nearby municipalities, and the Steel Industry Heritage Council. These organizations seek to preserve the remaining industrial structures while utilizing the site for economic development. Additionally, the Rivers of Steel Heritage Corp. is working with Allegheny County on establishing a museum about the history of steel centered on the two blast furnaces still standing on the site.

*Today, the furnaces are at the center of a growing movement to attract visitors and tourists to the area. source*

After years of work to preserve the site, tours of Carrie Furnace started running in 2010. — *Two century-old Carrie Blast Furnaces are open for tours. source*

The redevelopment plan is mixed-use as it contains plans for commercial and residential development, as well as light industrial manufacturing. Housing, office buildings, a hotel, a conference center, transportation center, and a museum are included in the plan. After years of work to preserve the site, tours of Carrie Furnace started running in 2010.