Iron and the Gap From Cumberland Gap to Big Stone Gap: A History of Lee and Wise Counties As It Relates to Iron Production in the Area and to the Iron Furnace at Big Stone Gap, Virginia

Southwest Virginia was unique. It had in close proximity iron ore, coal for coking and limestone; all the ingredients for making iron. Few places in the U.S. existed where all three minerals were located within a few miles of each other. At first there was little interest in these materials since the area was isolated and no transportaton existed to get the minerals to market. It was the Great Boom that fostered interest and provided capital to build railroads into the region. Once the rails arrived there was a flurry of excitement of mining both iron and coal for shipment to eastern markets. But why not build a furnace and produce iron right there? Everything was abundant and close at hand. Great wealth could be made and northern investors flocked to the area to get in on the bonanza. This book describes the trials and tribulations of building and operating a hot-blast coke iron furnace in such a remote area. The boom and bust of the iron trade and the demise of this important history is detailed in this 124 page book including over 35 photos, diagrams and reports. The early bloomery forges, mines and mining techniques, production of coke, building of the railroads, the Great Boom and technical details of how a hot-blast coke furnace operated are all detailed.