Principio Furnace

  • Also Known As: Principio Iron Furnace also Principio Iron Works

  • Vicinity: Address Restricted
  • Travel Genus: Sight
  • Sight Category: Site

Principio Furnace, located near Perryville, on the banks of Principio Creek at the head of the Chesapeake Bay, was the first blast furnace in the state of Maryland, and one of the first in the nation. The complex consists of the site of the original, 1723, furnace. The third furnace, still standing in 1970, was constructed in 1836, and was in blast until 1894. In 1890 the fourth and last furnace was built at Principio. When iron production at this site was discontinued after World War I, this furnace was dismantled and sold. The site has remained in essentially the same condition since the dismantling of the last furnace. There were at least four other furnaces at one time or another. The other furnaces and forges are no longer above ground, having been destroyed or dismantled. Near the 1836 extant furnace is a turbine which is connected with a blowing machine through a series of gears. Behind the furnace is a large heater which provided a hot blast for this furnace. The heater and blowing machine were probably built after the furnace, but the date of construction has not yet been determined. In the area surrounding the furnace is a large number of buildings; some have little connection with the production of iron, but were undoubtedly important in the everyday life of those who worked at the furnace. This relatively self-sustaining community provided food, shelter, and clothing for those who worked there. One of the more interesting of the structures at Principio is a circular, brick charcoal-burner which, according to local authorities, was used only once. The excellent condition of the exterior of the structure and the rather thin layer of carbon on the inside confirm this assertion. - NRHP, 2 November 1972


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Timeline

Y/M/D Person Association Description Composition Food Event
Y/M/D Person Association Description Composition Food Event
1719/00/00 Principio Company Owner Principio Iron Works established by Joseph Farmer and ironmaster, John England
1813/00/00 Principio Furnaces are destroyed by the British during the War of 1812.
1836/00/00 Principio Furnace ruined buildings are bought by Joseph Whitaker, his brothers George Price Whitaker and Joseph Whitaker II, and partners Thomas Garrett and William Chandler.

Data »

Particulars for Principio Furnace:
Cultural Affiliation American Industrial
Area of Significance Architecture
Area of Significance Historic and non-aboriginal
Criteria Historic Event
Criteria Information Potential
Historic Use Manufacturing facility
Level of Significance National
Historic Use Post Office
Owner Private
Historic Use Single dwelling
Sight Category Site
Military Event War of 1812, America vs Britian



US National Registry of Historic Places Data »

Accurate at time of registration:

PLACE DETAILS
Registry Name:
Registry Address:
Registry Number: 72000575
Resource Type:
Owner: Private
Architectural Style: No style listed
CULTURAL DETAILS
Level of Significance: National; State; Local
Area of Significance: Historic and non-aboriginal, Architecture
Applicable Criteria: Event, Information Potential
Cultural Affiliation: American Industrial
Period of Significance: 1875-1899, 1700-1749, 1850-1874, 1800-1824, 1750-1799, 1825-1849
Historic Function: Domestic, Government, Industry, processing, extraction
Historic Sub-Function: Post office, Single dwelling, Manufacturing facility
Current Function: Vacant, not in use
Current Sub-Function:

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