Thursday, July 3, 2008

Sloss Furnaces


No trip to Birmingham would be complete without a visit to  Sloss Furnaces.  Iron was produced here for nearly 90 years, giving rise to the city of Birmingham.  It has been designated a National Historic  Landmark.  

28 comments:

Tom said...

Excellent shot...
There's an old saying about men from Birmingham England which goes like this: "Give a Birmingham man a guinea and a copper kettle, he'll make you a hundred pounds worth of jewellery!"

Seems that metals played a part in both Birmingham.

Virginia said...

Thanks Tom, love the quote!

Clueless in Boston said...

I never knew industrial furnaces
looked like that. Are Sloss Furnaces out of business?

Dan said...

Nice Pic. I used to work in a steel mill in Chicago. I think the site where the mill was is now a EPA site so I don't think they will be making a national landmark out of it!

Virginia said...

Sloss closed in 1971. I will try and post some other photos from time to time. It is a really neat place to tour. See the link on the sidebar for more info.

Anonymous said...

I suppose Birmingham, Alabama is like Savannah, Georgia minus the water. I know an old dude in Birmingham, whose profession is or was Pharmacist. His name is John Reaves. He is retired and still works teaching engrossing and lettering to students or did, at the University there. I think they stopped that though several years ago.

Anyway, he used to tell me back in the days of first class mail that he was outside working with a pick trying to work up his flower beds so he could plant some new flowers.

Working with a pick to get dirt loose in a flower bed is like going to a picnic with a post hole digger for the silverware.

Wouldn't it be a blast if you knew John.

I like your blog. I never heard of the furnace you describe as a Sloss furnace.

Abraham Lincoln
Brookville, Ohioo

Harry Makertia said...

I love the way you took all of your pictures. Wishing I'll be like you!

Steve Buser said...

Seems well preserved.

Unknown said...

Interesting machinery!
My Sky Watch Friday posts

bobbie said...

This is a very interesting photo.
And I love your header photo too.

Anne said...

Funny to see.

Nice weekend to you, from Anne in Norway.

SandyCarlson said...

That's quite a picture. Reminds of how much hard work goes into the making of metals. Thanks.

Carletta said...

What a wonderful photo - very well composed!

Pat - Arkansas said...

Your photo is a wonderful perspective on an impressive structure; a very interesting and informative Sky Watch.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Well that certainly reminds me of the Steel Mills In which I worked. Very nice SWF.

Petunia said...

Great shot:)

Champ Townboy said...

Beautiful shot!

BeanTownBoy said...

Love the photo and every other one on the page!

AnneKa said...

Interesting photo!!!!!

Ming the Merciless said...

Virginia, you predicted correctly.

Bob from St. Louis Daily Photo are visiting this weekend so we'll have lots of photos for show-and-tell later this week.

Have a good 4th of July weekend.

Pappy said...

It was all about steel. Great shot. Pappy

Michele said...

That's an interesting photo... I love learning about these things... it looks quite massive!
Mountain Retreat Photos

EG CameraGirl said...

Old machinery often makes interesting "art."

D Herrod said...

Very interesting. Although the steps and the towers kind of remind me of one those Fire Department training towers.

Lilli & Nevada said...

Love it, never heard or seen one.It reaches to the sky

Linda said...

I just found my way here and really like your photos. Birmingham looks like a really lovely city.

Jane Hards Photography said...

Tom is right about the saying. I'm from Birmingham England, the workshop of the world as it was known. Love the feel of the harsh metal against the soft texture of the sky.

Janet said...

This is one place in B'ham I haven't been yet, but we have been to the iron museum and ironworks at Tannehill State Park. Thanks for sharing the photo.