South Carolina Department of Archives and History
National Register Properties in South Carolina

Cowpens Furnace Site, Cherokee County (Address Restricted)
S1081771101301 S1081771101302
Furnace remnant Furnace structure

Cowpens Furnace Site is one of the best preserved early nineteenth century ironworks sites in South Carolina. It is the only remaining site that can be associated with the South Carolina Manufacturing Company that operated in Spartanburg County c.1825 and c.1850. Cowpens Furnace, which had originally been built c. 1807, was purchased and rebuilt by the company around 1834. The site contains an extremely well preserved furnace, remains of stone pilings or structural supports, and an earth sluiceway about one hundred meters in length. The furnace is partially collapsed but portions still stand over twenty feet high. The site also contains extensive slag heaps, iron ore, and charcoal remains. Original road beds leading into the site are partially intact. Of particular note is a well-preserved flat loading area on the hill above the furnace. Listed in the National Register May 8, 1987.

View the redacted text of the nomination form for this National Register property. In addition the Historic Resources of Early Ironworks of Northwestern South Carolina includes historical background information for this and other related National Register properties.

Most National Register properties are privately owned and are not open to the public. The privacy of owners should be respected. Not all properties retain the same integrity as when originally documented and listed in the National Register due to changes and modifications over time.

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