Nash Iron Works |
An Act to incorporate the Texas Iron Company
Handbook of Texas Online - NASH'S IRON FOUNDRY
Joint Resolution Concerning Iron Foundries in the State of Texas.
Historical Marker Text
Nash Iron Works
County: Marion
Year Marker Erected: 1965
Marker Location: FM 729 about 20 mi. west of Jefferson
Marker Text: First iron furnace in Texas. Built by Jefferson S. Nash, who came
here in 1846. He found much iron ore, wood for charcoal, and clay to make molds.
From ridge back of the furnace, charcoal and ore were poured down the
smokestack. Under the furnace grate, melted iron collected in a puddle, to be
put into molds for shaping farm tools, cooking pots, smoothing irons, and-- in
the Civil War-- cannon balls and possibly guns. Nash had difficulty securing
machinery, workers, capital, and transportation. In the 1800s, at least 16 iron
works operated in East Texas.