Travel Features

The Great Western Furnace

April 14, 2025 | Lydia

My most recent trip down to Land Between the Lakes turned up a real gem – the remains of the Great Western Iron Furnace. You can't miss it, right off the scenic Woodlands Trace, and this old limestone structure just pulled me in. It's funny to stand there now, surrounded by all that peaceful woodland, and imagine it as a bustling industrial site.

What really struck me was learning that even though this furnace only operated for a single year after opening back in 1855, it still managed to churn out an incredible 1,350 tons of iron in just 34 weeks. That really highlights the scale and ambition of what they were doing. And when you think about the sheer amount of raw materials they must have gone through – twenty bushels of charcoal, 800 pounds of ore, and 80 pounds of limestone just to get good quality iron – it paints such a vivid picture of the immense effort involved.

Even in its ruined state, the Great Western Iron Furnace feels like a powerful reminder. It's a tangible link to the industrial side of the rural South before the Civil War, and it makes you consider the complex history that's woven into the beautiful landscape of Land Between the Lakes. Honestly, if you have any interest in history, it's a must-see, and it definitely gives you something to think about as you're traveling the Woodlands Trace.

Please remember to leave no trace and to respect the historical remains of this structure.

Here's a video of my experience...


Here's a map to the bridge.

< More Features & News