Mary Ann (Trexler) Furnace

This marker is located near the ruins of an iron furnace that was originally built in 1789 by Jacob Lesher. This was one of many iron furnaces along the streams and creeks in eastern Pennsylvania. Lesher was the operator of this furnace until about 1808. At that point, his son-in-law Reuben Trexler, took over the property through 1837 with about 30 men working at the furnace and the various buildings nearby that are all part of a historic district. The nearby village of Longswamp was built by the men who worked at the furnace. Mr. Trexler's son, Horatio, took over in 1837 and continued to run the furnace until its closure in 1869.

Many of the early 19th century buildings, including a barn, a blacksmith shop, and a furnace stack remain standing today thanks in part to preservationists and reconstructive efforts. In 1924, this historical marker was erected in honor of Jacob Lesher and the others who operated the furnace and related industry. Today the property is owned by the Rohrbach family.

Reed, Diane B. Mary Ann Furnace Historic District, National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. March 13th 1991. Accessed July 19th 2022. https://gis.penndot.gov/CRGISAttachments/SiteResource/H093517_01H.pdf.

Kelly, M E. Tariff Acts Under the Confederation. , vol. 2, no. 4. Published July 1st 1900. Jstor.

Mary Ann Furnace Historic District, Wikipedia. June 4th 2022. Accessed July 19th 2022. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Ann_Furnace_Historic_District.