| Here are a few views of the Beckley Furnace
complex taken on July 5, 2003 -- the first day that the old plant offices
were open to visitors -- and on July 25 of the same year. Please click on any of the pictures to see it
full-sized. |
|
Beckley Furnace from the front |
View from the bridge leading to the slag heaps |
Seen from across the Blackberry River |
Viewed from further upriver |
|
Restored hearth of the furnace |
Pipes to blow heated air into the furnace
(see next photo for explanation) |
Everything you ever wanted to know about a
Tuyere Arch |
A view up the stack! |
|
Turbine mechanism used to start the
process of converting water power to heated air blown into the furnace |
The dam -- great water volume in these
pictures due to our
wet spring and recent rainfall |
Some kids who were visiting Beckley that
day. |
View from the top of the dam |
|
Previous family group, seen from the top
of the dam |
In the office: an actual Tuyere tip --
used to blow hot air into the furnace (pigs of iron in front) |
In the office: doorway detail.
Not elaborate, but nice for the paymaster's office of a blast furnace! |
In the office: the original Paymaster's window |
|
Current exhibit -- Iron industry art by
Walter Michaels |
Current exhibit: Charcoal burning |
Current exhibit: water wheel driving
blower (preceded turbine) |
A "Salamander" -- formed when
the molten iron solidifies INSIDE the furnace. In this business, a
salamander is a REAL problem! |
|
Cutaway view of a slag heap across the
Blackberry River |
Some "Beckley slag" |
Abandoned machinery near the slag heap |
More abandoned machinery |
