Furnace: Pioneer Furnace, Negaunee, MI

Began → Pioneer Furnace → Closed

Operated for 36 years (minus 3 years due to fire).

From: 1857

Owned by: Pioneer Iron Company, then merged into Iron Cliffs Company, date unknown.

Produced: Pig iron blooms.

Method: 

Railroad connection: DSSA and C&NW

Until: 1893

Lifetime Production: 

Notes

The Pioneer Furnace was Negaunee's first blast furnace, which converted raw ore to iron blooms. It was put into blast on April 18, 1858 near the Jackson Mine at the southeast corner of the Village of Negaunee. [CNWV]

This was the region's first charcoal-fueled blast furnace in 1859. This was a strategy of the Iron Cliffs company to process its own iron ore near its mine, producing iron blooms for sale. [MHA]

Over the years, this facility went in and out of blast as production required new hearths to be installed and other maintenance. The facility had two furnaces on site.

The facility burned in 1874 and was rebuit in 1877 and operated to 1893. [NHS]

According to old maps, there were charcoal kilns to the east of the facility. 

Time Line

1858. Completed in July.

1874. A large fire occured at the facility here in 1874. It was rebuilt in 1877.

1893. The furnace is closed.

1911. The C&NW removes two tracks leading to the Pioneer Furnace property. [CNWV]