http://www.strangeusa.comThe worlds largest paranormal RSS query system.Copyright 1000BC - 2099AD Strangeusa.com. All rights reserved.Eliza Furnace63751Vintondale, PA<P>The Eliza Furnace, also known as Ritter's Furnace, operated between 1846 and 1849. It is one of the best-preserved hot blast iron furnaces in Pennsylvania, one of the first in the area, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. At its peak the furnace produced about 1080 tons of iron, employed over 90 men and boys, and used 45 mules.</P> <P>During the 1830s and 1840s, partners David Ritter and George Rodgers acquired several thousand acres in the Blacklick Valley and began construction of the furnace in 1845. Before completion, Rodgers sold his share to Lot Irvin, a farmer from Centre County. The furnace was one of the region's first to use the hot blast&nbsp;method. After the iron was produced at Eliza, it was carried by wagon to Ninevah or Johnstown, where it was transported by the Pennsylvania Canal&nbsp;to Pittsburgh. In 1848 the furnace produced over 1000 out of an estimated capacity of 1800 tons of iron. But the operation soon began to decline.</P> <P>The furnace o... The rest of this description is continued on <a href='http://www.strangeusa.com/Viewlocation.aspx?id=63751strangeusa.com'>StrangeUSA.com</a>http://www.strangeusa.com/Viewlocation.aspx?id=6375110/20/2009