Own A Piece of Pottstown History

Before the American Revolution, the Pottstown area had a thriving iron industry. While little proof of that remains in today's robust, almost urban atmosphere, there are tidbits of saved antiques that show the signs of the times.

Take the popular auction website, Ebay. A simple search of Pottstown, PA brought up a plethora of interesting postcards, photographs and timeless antiques dating back to the 1800s.

One unique item in particular might catch the eye of local history buffs. This vintage iron stand is a lot more than an article of houseware junk. 

The three-footed, iron plate was commonly used to place a hot iron on, while waiting for it to cool. But, it is the symbol and wording along the plate's edges that have you wondering more.

The piece, which measures: 6x4.25x 1 inches in size, bears the insignia of a former Pottstown iron furnace. This "Sad Iron Stand" as it is labeled online, was by Colebrookdale Iron Co., Pottstown PA.

Bearing a crown and cross logo, the stand was formed right in the heart of Pottstown.

According to PAIronWorks.com, the area had a rich history for such iron pieces. 

"Over 285 years ago the pig iron industry in Pennsylvania had its birth in a small stone blast furnace located in the forests of presentday Berks County, Pennsylvania," said the site. "Thomas Rutter and associates, established the first iron works in Pennsylvania in the year 1716. They built Pool Bloomery Forge on the banks of Manatawney Creek, near presentday Pottstown."

The forge was built to support the community around it, and help settlers in the area to work their ores into metal pieces.

"In 1720 the furnace was completed and was named Colebrookdale Furnace, to honor the works by that name built by Abraham Darby, in Shropshire, England," explained the PA Iron Works website. "Darby was a prominent ironmaster of his day and a member of the Society of Friends (A Quaker). Rutter and Potts also belonged to the Society of Friends (Quakers)."

Potts, most locals know, would later be the "founding family" of Pottstown itself.

The iron works furnace stood for quite some time.

"Colebrookdale Furnace & Iron Works had a long and prosperous career, this furnace together with a forge, remained in operation until just before the American Revolution, records show that while not still in active operation, the furnace was still standing in 1785," said the site.

For the full story on the history of the furnace in Pottstown, visit the Iron Works website here.

To purchase this piece of history, now on sale for just $10, check the Ebay listing here.