Redwell-Isabella Furnace Historic District
Also known as: VDHR file no. 069-5252
Why it's listed
Just north of Luray, on the west bank of Hawksbill Creek, a nine-acre district preserves what remains of Page County's oldest iron furnace complex. Redwell Furnace was apparently established in 1787 by Derrick Pennybacker and later became known as Isabella Furnace, operating until the 1840s. A forge, flour mill and woolen mill followed, and industrial activity continued until the woolen mill burned in 1880. The surviving resources include two stone buildings from about 1800: the Isabella Furnace Office, with Georgian interior detail, and the Yager Spring House, a former dormitory-type dwelling with a large cooking fireplace. Also included are a cemetery, a stone foundation, the furnace bridge mound and Yager Spring, which powered the furnace and later mills. The district was listed for its role in the county's iron, milling and woolen industries and for its rare furnace-related buildings. No archaeological survey has been done, though further research could yield additional resources.
Significance in brief: The district contains the remnants of Page County's oldest iron furnace complex, Redwell Furnace, later Isabella Furnace, which operated until the 1840s. A forge, flour mill and woolen factory continued on the site into the late nineteenth century. It is significant for industry and for two surviving buildings, a putative furnace office and worker dormitory, that represent furnace-related building types now rare in Virginia.
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 05000762, listed July 27, 2005. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Bet. VA 652 and Hawksbill Creek on N side of Luray, Luray |
|---|---|
| County | Page County |
| Listed | July 27, 2005 |
| Reference number | 05000762 |
| Resource type | District |
| Period of significance | 1787-1880 |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The furnace itself is gone. The Isabella Furnace Office was in danger of collapse but its deteriorated stone walls were repaired in 2004. The property is owned by the Town of Luray, which is exploring rehabilitation options. |
| Acreage | 9 |
| Coordinates | 38.68078, -78.45743 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
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 05000762.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q15272190
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.