Reno Furnace, Venango County, Pennsylvania
aka North Bend Furnace

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Reno (aka North Bend) - along Sandy Creek in Mineral Township. It was built in 1844 by Hoover and Reed(s&t), It is said to have been owned at one time by Lewis T. Reno, father of General Jesse L. Reno, of Civil War fame, for whom both Reno, Nevada, and Reno, Venango County, were named(evc). It was sold by the sheriff in 1848. A large furnace with an 8.5' bosh and a capacity of 1350 tons a year(s&t). It is a great stack in fair to good condition, with portions of the wheel pit and races visible. (P)(V)(rp-1977, he/is/dd/rp/km-2004).
Proceed from Franklin west on US62 through Polk to the junction of PA965. About 0.8 miles beyond this junction a small lane, Saw Mill Road, goes left. (N41º 21.256' W079º 58.048'). Take this road across a bridge over Sandy Creek to a saw mill property. This property is operated by Huck Miller and his son Dan. They are willing to let visitors across their property but you should seek permission by calling ahead to 814-432-6618. Go to the right and back toward the hillside to pick up the old service road paralleling the creek and going west, and go about 0.6 miles down this road at the ruins of an old saw mill on the left and a deer stand on the right. Park here. (N41º 21.277' W079º 57.988'). Climb over an embankment on the right. The furnace is below the embankment between the hill and the creek. The wheel pit and millrace are evident, along with a furnace in fairly good condition. .
GPS coordinates location N41º 21.265' W079º 58.021'(km-2004).N41º 21.280' W079º 58.020'(rp,dd-2004).

Reno Furnace - 1977
looking south at side facing north toward creek
Reno Furnace - October 2004
looking south at side facing north toward creek

Reno Furnace - October 2004
looking southwest
. Reno Furnace - October 2004
East side opening

RobinnJeanne Parks
Eeast side opening Reno Furnace
October 2004
Wheel Pit - Reno Furnace east side
October 2004
Reno Furnace Special Sources:
A Guide to the Old Stone Blast Furnaces of Western Pennsylvania, Myron B. Sharp and William H. Thomas (s&t)
Exploring Venango County prepared for the Venango County Bicentennial Commision, 1976(evc).
J. A. Caldwell (hvc) publisher History of Venango County, by Edward (Kirke) White, 1879
The News Herald, Thur. Jul 27, 1978 (tnh)
Isaac Harris (pbd) publisher The Pittsburgh Business Directory, 1837
Dan(Huck) & Dan Miller, Franklin, PA
Dan & Chris Dundon, Erie, PA
\ Karl Mouck, Sandy Lake, PA
Copyright © Richard Parks, January 23, 2010