Iron Furnace in disuse

Man observing an abandoned iron furnace, believed to be in Jackson County. Photographed by the Works Progress Administration. By 1860, the town of Jackson had a population of 1,077 and prosperity continued as the Civil War created a great demand for the high quality Hanging Rock charcoal iron. The iron used in the construction of the Union ironclad, "Monitor," came from nearby Jefferson Furnace just west of Oak Hill. Coal was also a growing factor in the economic development of Jackson. Coal shipments rose from 10,000 tons in 1878 to 300,000 tons in 1880, making Jackson County tenth in the state's production of coal. By 1898 the county was the largest producer in the state with 89 mines and an annual tonnage of over 1,500,000 tons. This was in a time when all coal was mined by hand. Because of its impressive position in industry and population, Jackson became a favorite location for national political figures to visit. Jackson would host visits by William McKinley and President William Taft, starting a trend which would later bring candidates Warren Harding and still later Thomas Dewey