Posted in North Carolina Attractions, Explore, Nature, On The Water March 17, 2023 by

This Fascinating North Carolina Furnace Has Been Abandoned And Reclaimed By Nature For Decades Now

The historic Endor Iron Furnace, a large smelting furnace near Cumnock, formerly known as Egypt, is situated along the Deep River. It operated from 1862–1865 and sometimes throughout the end of the 19th century. The state-owned property is without public access and is viewable by paddling down the picturesque and forested river. See why folks are fascinated by this abandoned and reclaimed North Carolina structure.

Without public access to Endor Iron Furnace, a float down Deep River allows a view of this mystical abandoned and reclaimed artifact.
Ggpauly, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Put in at Deep River Park where you can float underneath another historic landmark, Camelback Bridge. While you're there, enjoy a picnic at the shelter these lovely four acres offer.
Deep River Park, State Rd 2145, Bear Creek, NC 27207, USA
Keep your eyes open as the crumbling ruins are barely noticeable, rising on the right about 50 yards inland. And while you see people here, there is no longer public access.
Chatham Historical Museum/Facebook
It comes with an eerie silence, quite a contrast to what was once a bustling industrial place.
The historic furnace was built to take advantage of the veins of ore in the nearby river.
Patrick Mueller/Flickr
Investors purchased the site of the furnace, the Deep River plantation once owned by Alexander McIver.
It produced pig iron for the Confederate Army during the American Civil War.
Avius Quovis?Flickr
Here is a rock wall behind the furnace, up on the cliff.
Patrick Mueller/Flickr
Construction is of soft local reddish-gray stones measuring about 32 feet square at the base, rising to about 35 feet high.
Triangle Land Conservancy
As you can see, efforts are alive to support the structure.

See these abandoned and reclaimed ruins at Deep River Park. And for a delicious lunch, drive the approximately 16 miles to Ron’s Barn in Sanford for some of the best southern fried chicken in North Carolina.

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