Mines & Furnaces
Montgomery County was home to the Bourbon (Slate) Iron Furnace from 1797 to 1811. After that date, the furnace and iron deposits were located in Bath County, which had been formed out of the eastern portion of Montgomery Co. This operation had been the first iron ore furnace west of the Allegheny Mountains. Erected in 1791, it was called the Bourbon Iron Furnace, because the area at that time was part of Bourbon County, Kentucky.
The Bourbon Iron Furnace was located on Slate Creek about 2 1/2 miles south of Owingsville on KY-36.
Jacob Myers from Richmond, Va. took up land grants here on Slate Creek in 1782. He built the first iron blast furnace in Ky., 1791. John Cockey Owings and Co. formed to operate furnace. Utensils and tools supplied settlers. Began to make cannon balls, grape shot for US Navy 1810. Furnished munitions for US victory, New Orleans 1815. First blast 1791, last 1838.
Contacts
Marvin Allen  Montgomery County Coordinator |
| Suzanne Shephard KY Asst. State Coordinator |
| Jeff Kemp KY State Coordinator |
