| Buffalo Furnace Sign | Buffalo Furnace | Front of Furnace | LH Side of Furnace |
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Buffalo Furnace is in very poor condition, as noted in the pictures. The entire front portion of the furnace stack
is gone, along with most of the right hand side. Stonework on the ground to the left of the furnace indicates that the
blast was provided via a bellows system. This would be unusual for the period that this furnace operated in, as most were
hot blast by this time.
First Visited: 1Q 2003
Start of Operation: 1851 (Lesley reports 1852)
Blowout: 1875
Daily Tonnage: 15 tons
Built By: H. Hollister & Ross
Stack: 36-1/2 feet (Lesley reports 35 feet w/10 foot bosh)
Blast: Yes, suspect hot, but stonework indicates a bellows system.
Type: Charcoal
Per J.P. Lesley, the charcoal furnace was owned by P.C. Vandyke & Co. and managed by P.C. Vandyke. In 1854 the fn produced 2,197 tons of iron out of the surrounding lower coal measure ores.
The Lesley text reports that the fn was called the Buffalo Steam Warm-Blast Charcoal Furnace. This would appear
to confirm the analysis of the blast type during the field visit. The fn was "hot" blast, but the bellows system did
not probably provide a consistent air flow, resulting in a lower efficiency and an output closer to a cold blast system.
Located in Greenbo State Park, just off State Route 1
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