Oregon Iron Company Furnace

In the heart of Lake Oswego, Oregon, stands a monument to the industrial ambitions of the 19th century—the Oregon Iron Company Furnace. This towering structure, nestled in George Rogers Park, is a testament to the region's rich history of iron production and its aspirations to become the Pittsburgh of the West. As you wander through the serene park, the furnace's imposing presence offers a glimpse into a bygone era where iron was king and the future of the Pacific Northwest was being forged in fire and steel.

The Birth of an Iron Empire

The story of the Oregon Iron Company begins with the discovery of iron ore in the Oswego area in 1862. Morton M. McCarver, a prominent figure in Oregon's early history, recognized the potential of the rich iron deposits found near the settlement. The high-quality brown iron ore, combined with the abundance of surrounding forests for charcoal production and the availability of water power, set the stage for a successful iron industry.

In 1865, a group of ambitious financiers, including former Portland mayors William S. Ladd and Henry Failing, along with Herman C. Leonard and John Green of the Portland Gas Light Company, established the Oregon Iron Company. Their vision was to transform Oswego into a bustling industrial hub, rivaling the iron-producing centers of the East Coast.

Building the Furnace

To bring their vision to life, the company hired George Wilbur, an experienced furnace builder, to oversee the construction of a charcoal-fired blast furnace. The furnace, completed in 1867, was built by British stonemason Richard Martin and stood as a marvel of industrial engineering. Simultaneously, a dam was constructed on Sucker Creek to harness water power, and extensive forests were cleared to produce the charcoal needed to fuel the furnace. Limestone, essential for removing impurities during the smelting process, was sourced from the San Juan Islands and transported to the company's facilities on the Willamette River.

On August 24, 1867, the Oregon Iron Company made history by becoming the first company in the United States to cast pig iron west of the Rocky Mountains. This momentous achievement marked the beginning of an era of iron production in the Pacific Northwest. Between 1867 and 1869, the company produced nearly 2,400 tons of iron, laying the foundation for Oswego's industrial future.

Challenges and Rebirth

Despite its initial success, the Oregon Iron Company faced significant challenges. The lack of experience in the iron industry among its founders, coupled with disputes over water rights, led to the company's closure in 1869. A brief resurgence occurred between 1874 and 1876, driven by a contract with the Central Pacific Railroad, but the company ultimately closed its doors in 1878, and its assets were auctioned off.

The iron industry in Oswego was revived in 1878 under new ownership, led by Ernest Crichton and L.B. Seeley, who had experience in Ohio's iron region. Renamed the Oswego Iron Company, the new management implemented several improvements, including acquiring additional land, resolving water rights issues, refurbishing the furnace, opening new mines, and constructing a narrow-gauge railway to transport ore. From 1877 to 1881, the Oswego Iron Company produced 18,500 tons of iron, although it struggled with debt and fluctuating iron prices.

The Oregon Iron and Steel Company

In 1882, another group of investors, led by Simeon Gannett Reed and railroad magnate Henry Villard, acquired the company and rebranded it as the Oregon Iron and Steel Company. Under Reed's leadership, a new, larger furnace was constructed, boasting five times the capacity of the original. The new ironworks, which opened in 1888, ushered in a period of prosperity for Oswego. The company employed 300 workers, and the town flourished with new hotels, churches, saloons, and even an opera house. A railway line to Portland, completed in 1886, further boosted Oswego's accessibility and growth.

At its peak in 1890, the Oregon Iron and Steel Company produced 12,305 tons of iron. However, the high cost of charcoal production, competition from cheaper coke-produced iron, and the economic downturn following the Panic of 1893 led to the furnace's closure in 1894. The company continued to operate a pipe foundry on the site until 1928.

Legacy and Preservation

Although the iron industry in Oswego eventually faded, the Oregon Iron and Steel Company left a lasting legacy. The company owned thousands of acres of land, which were gradually developed into residential areas. William M. Ladd, who succeeded Reed as company president, transformed the company's holdings into a prestigious suburb with amenities such as a country club, golf course, and polo field. The name of the local lake was changed from Sucker Lake to Oswego Lake, enhancing the area's appeal.

Today, the original blast furnace stands as a historic landmark in George Rogers Park. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, the furnace is a cherished relic of Oswego's industrial past. Efforts to preserve and restore the furnace ensure that visitors can continue to explore this fascinating piece of history. A visit to the Oregon Iron Company Furnace offers a unique opportunity to step back in time and witness the enduring spirit of innovation and industry that shaped the Pacific Northwest.