The Western Highland Rim hosted a large number of furnaces within its geographic area.  Iron production in this region began in the 1790s with the establishment of the Cumberland Furnace, and shortly after the turn of the century, many more furnace sprang up.  The furnaces of the region were used the indirect method of smelting--a two-step process involving the blast furnace to produce pig iron and a refinery forge to convert it to wrought iron.  These furnaces were extremely important in Tennessee's war effort, and thus were the sites of several Civil War engagements as the Union sought to eliminate Tennessee's war-making abilities.

The following table provides a preliminary list of furnaces, forges, and works located in the Western Highland Rim.
 
 

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Last update: June 1, 2000