What was originally known as Spruce Hill had small quantities of silver and lead that were mined in the 1700s.   But considerably larger quantities of carbonated iron ore, a rare and highly desirable form of ore, were also found here.   Two small furnaces were constructed here in 1792 and 1831.   Between 1865 and 1868, the Shepaug Spathic Iron and Steel Company extended the mine tunnels and constructed a rail bed to convey the ore down the hill from the mine.   At the base of the hill, workmen built two ore roasters, a blast furnace, a steel puddling furnace and a rolling mill, remains of which are visible today. The smelting furnace failed at its first firing in 1867 and never functioned to its full potential.   Using obsolete production methods and competing with vast reserves of iron ore opening up out west, the operation ceased making steel in 1868. Production of pig iron continued, but by 1872, Mine Hill's iron-making days were done. There are additional ruins here, from both the iron works and the town that built up around the mill.   But again I had horrible (harsh sun) photographic conditions.   Between that, the heat, and the fact that I was running late on my final northbound travel day, I was unable to explore as much of the site as I would have liked.

Per the site lay-out, I think this is a foundation wall of one of the charcoal storage buildings

Iron Blast Furnace

Casting arch of the Iron Furnace

Chimney of the Puddling Furnace

Opposite side of the Iron Furnace

Loading dock wall

Pair of Roasting Ovens

Roasting Ovens

Draw hole in one of the Roasting Ovens

View through side draw holes of the Roasting Ovens

A pair of rock walls up behind the Roasting Ovens The upper wall supported the tram-way to the mines.

Upper rear wall of the Roasting Ovens

Top of the double Roasting Ovens

Another stone support wall

Mine Hill lay-out

All Text & Images: Copyright 2023.