Laurel Hill Furnace
Why it's listed
Built in 1845 by Hezekiah Reed, Gallagher, and Hale, Laurel Hill Furnace is a rectangular stone blast furnace that tapers from base to top, standing on Laurel Hill Creek in Westmoreland County. Its stack is built of cut stone with four arches at the base, more than the usual two or three, and is tied together with four iron tie rods in each direction. The bosh is intact, so the interior structure can still be examined. The furnace measures 36 by 36 by 38 feet. A 35-foot wheel pit and a four-foot tunnel, both lined with stone, once supplied water power, though neither can now be seen. Blasting ceased between 1855 and 1860. The furnace is regarded as one of the largest and best preserved old iron blast furnaces in western Pennsylvania. It remains a clear record of the early iron industry, which relied on local ore, limestone, streams and charcoal from nearby oak forests. The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy received the property in 1973.
Significance in brief: The nomination describes it as one of the largest and best preserved old iron blast furnaces in western Pennsylvania. It is presented as an unusually well-preserved example of the early iron-making industry that flourished in the region, supported by local ore, limestone, streams and oak forests for charcoal. Its stack is built with four base arches rather than the usual two or three, and the bosh remains intact.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 75001679, listed April 28, 1975. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | SE of New Florence on Baldwin Run, New Florence |
|---|---|
| County | Westmoreland County |
| Listed | April 28, 1975 |
| Reference number | 75001679 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1845 |
| Architect / builder | Hezekiah Reed, Gallagher, and Hale (builders) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Blasting was discontinued between 1855 and 1860. The furnace was donated to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy in 1973. Original site, unaltered. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 40.36673, -79.05865 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 75001679.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6499857
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.