The Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark was an interesting stop on my road trip home from Florida. I’m glad I spent a few hours checking it out after visiting Cathedral Caverns State Park and the Unclaimed Baggage Store in northeastern Alabama.
History of Sloss Furnaces
The Sloss Furnaces were an integral part of the birth of the City of Birmingham, Alabama. Colonel James Sloss, a founder of Birmingham, encouraged railroad development in Jones Valley, Alabama. He struck a deal with the L&N railroad to connect the South and North Railroad between Birmingham and Decatur which brought much manufacturing to Birmingham.
The area is known for the abundance of iron ore, limestone, and cola, the minerals needed to make pig iron. Sloss Furnaces was one of the first iron making plants in the Birmingham District in the late 1800’s and was once the largest pig iron producer in the world.
The site was operated for nearly 100 years when it closed in 1970. In 1977, Birmingham residents voted to preserve the historic plant, and the city used bond proceeds to stabilize the structures and add a visitors center.
The National Historic Landmark Today
Now, Sloss Furnaces is open to visitors free of charge, though donations are welcome. Visitors may tour the facility on their own with a detailed pamphlet and sign boards or join a guided tour for a nominal fee.
I would have liked to join the guided tour when I visited, but the timing wasn’t right for the limited tour schedule (10:30 and 2). None the less, it was fun to wander around the Sloss boilers, hot blast stoves, the blowing engine building, the power house, and the furnaces to see all the old equipment, dials, and tools. The wrench was bigger than my dog!
In addition to tours, Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark operates one of the largest iron arts programs in the world. Don’t miss the artwork on display around the grounds and in the visitors center.
The venue also maintains a research library and hosts many events including concerts, many festivals, art shows, and weddings. Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark is open from 10-4 Tuesday through Saturday. Be sure to add it to your places to visit in Birmingham. ETB
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Cool! Reminds me of an old iron works I toured up in Massachusetts. That’s a giant wrench!
I hadn’t heard of Sloss Furnaces landmark before. The iron art looks intriguing–would be fun to visit.
Yes. It was cool!
Haven’t heard of this before! Seems like an interesting piece of history and good to know there is a guided tour!