Roaring Run Furnace
Why it's listed
Roaring Run Furnace is the surviving stone stack of an iron-making complex on Roaring Run Creek in rural Botetourt County. Built in 1832 and rebuilt in 1847 to compete with Pennsylvania anthracite furnaces, it was abandoned in the 1850s. It returned to blast around 1861, producing iron noted for its exceptional quality. Some of the metal was used locally for the war effort, but most pig iron went to the Tredegar Iron Works in Richmond, which leased the works in December 1864. The original plantation housed roughly 100 workers and many draft animals, with a casting house, waterwheel, charging bridge and supporting wooden buildings. Today the 36-foot stack, wheel pit and hillside walls remain, along with slag, ore and limestone. Listing recognized its connection to Civil War iron production, its value as an example of industrial construction, and the archaeological potential of the foundations of the former complex.
Significance in brief: The furnace produced high-quality pig iron and supplied the Civil War effort, with most output shipped to the Tredegar Iron Works in Richmond. The reviewer found it significant for its link to Civil War military activity, as an example of industrial construction, and for the information potential of the foundations of the former complex.
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 83003263, listed March 21, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | NW of Eagle Rock on VA 621, Eagle Rock |
|---|---|
| County | Botetourt County |
| Listed | March 21, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83003263 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1832-1875 |
| Architect / builder | Mr. Robertson (builder, per Lesley's Directory) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Stone stack still standing in fair condition, with a stone-lined waterwheel pit, hillside walls and visible slag; listed as unoccupied and in a ruinous state. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 37.70795, -79.89300 (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.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 83003263.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16899390
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.