Baker Furnace, Indiana County, Pennsylvania
aka Indiana Iron Works

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Baker (aka Indiana Iron Works) - is along Finley's Run in Wheatfield Township. There were two furnaces built on this site. The first was built in 1837 by Henry Noble. The plant was bought by Elias Baker in 1848. The new owner tore it down and built a new furnace on the same site. Before the Noble Furnace was erected, a bucket factory stood on the site(s&t). Furnace foundations and traces of the millrace and wheel pit remain (P)(V)(rp,ph-2004).
To reach this site follow US22 from Armaugh to PA403 about 1-1/4 miles east. N40º 27.269' W079º 00.610'. Turn south (right) on PA403 for 2-3/4 miles. PA403 crosses a bridge over Findley's Run a few yards beyond the junction of PA403 and PA711. On the east side of PA403 just south of the bridge is a house. The remains are in back of the house and at the base of the hill. Be sure to get permission before going through the yard to the furnace. Go directly toward the hillside through the yard of the house and you will spot the ruins. The foundation of the furnace, several yards of the stone-lined millrace, the wheel pit and some retaining walls can be seen.
GPS Coordinates N40º 25.179 W78º 59.544'(P)(V)(rp 2004)

Baker Furnace - August 2004
Baker Furnace - August 2004
Wheel Pit at Baker Furnace
August - 2004
Baker Furnace Special Sources:
A Guide to the Old Stone Blast Furnaces of Western Pennsylvania, Myron B. Sharp and William H. Thomas (s&t)
Pat & Michael Hom, San Diego, California
Copyright © Richard Parks, Decemb 30, 2009