Virginia Furnace - Preston County WV

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Virginia Furnace

A road trip doesn't have to always cost a lot of money and interesting things aren't always found in the tourist-rich areas of major cities.

Opened in 1854 and in on and off again operation until 1888 the Virginia Furnace produced pig iron to be used in steel production. The remnants of the furnace (pictured above) and a short distance away the stone-lined pit for the long gone waterwheel that once powered it are located near Albright WV.

Inside Virginia Furnace

I really enjoy seeing the sights when they come in the form of a self-guided historic area without being packed with a ton of people and governed by tons of "don't touch" signs and rules. I even managed to go inside the furnace (pictured above) and get a nice perspective.

While not a huge attraction since I'm into old historic things my wife pointed this one out to me on our way back from Morgantown today and I enjoyed a quick stop admiring the furnace as well as the waterfalls located in the stream directly in front of the furnace with its orange tint due to acidic mine runoff (pictured below).

Nothing is meaningless when it comes to visiting our vanishing historical landmarks and given the cracks forming in the stones on this furnace eventually time will erase this remnant of a bygone era from existence as well.

Stream infront of Virginia Furnace

Location: N Preston Hwy, Albright, WV 26519, USA

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