ALBURTIS, Pa. — Work to preserve a historic iron furnace has gotten a boost with a federal grant.
Lehigh County has announced $500,000 from the U.S. Department of Interior to partially pay for rehabilitation of the Lock Ridge Furnace.
The money, administered by the National Park Service, will be used along with $1,850,000 already committed by Lehigh County, to replace the Cast House roof.
Other work will focus on water infiltration of the furnace and rehabilitation of related buildings.
The property, listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1981, operated as a coal-burning iron furnace from 1868 to 1921.
The iron it produced helped transform America from a nation of farms into an industrial giant.
The furnace and surrounding area were acquired by Lehigh County in 1972, and the furnace now is the centerpiece of a 59-acre park.
The furnace, which looks like a stone castle, has outdoor exhibits that illustrate how iron was made. Numbered signs allow visitors to take a self-guided tour at any time.
Outdoor tours are offered from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays from May to September.
Lock Ridge Park also offers a variety of recreational activities, such as trails through the open and wooded areas of the park for hiking, biking and nature study.
The park has an 81-seat pavilion with a grill and restroom that can be reserved. It also has a field for T-ball and girls' softball. Swabia Creek runs through the park and offers limited fishing.
The stone structure's arches and flora, it's 'bluebell' flowers in particular, make Lock Ridge a favorite place for photography and weddings. A permit is required for use of the Lock Ridge Grounds.
Call 610-435-1074 for more information.
