While hiking with my son last spring, down in Kentucky, we had a chance to take a visit to peaceful Hematite Lake and check out the ruins from an early 19th century iron ore mill. If you missed part3 of our trip to LBL, we visited a revived 1800s era homestead and unintendedly crashed a wedding.
Hematite Lake is within The Land Between the Lakes, which is uninhabited by people. To say this area is peaceful in an understatement. It was so amazingly quiet and lovely. Quite honestly not what I’m used to living in the suburbs of Chicago.
Even the inhabitants were taking it easy this particular evening near dusk…except for the bugs, as you might be able to make out the can of bug spray in my son’s left hand.
To access some of the trails, you have to cross this looks-like-it’s-floating stone path. The water’s not very deep at this spot, but it was still mind over matter when attempting to go across.
Watch your step. Whoa!!
Before we actually took the hike, we stopped off at the old Empire Iron Works sight. In 1843, Dr Thomas Tennessee Watson started up the Empire Iron Works, took up residence here, only to die in this location three years later.
More information on Dr Watson, here.
During the early 1800s, this location looked something like this model which is on display at the LBL visitors center.
Now all that is left is what is called the “Center Furnace”.
This large structure at the sight of the ruins, was at one time part of the basement in the original building (shown in the model above). I’m not sure where the other parts of the building ended up.
The Center Furnace was used to burn coal for the mining of iron ore, a popular pre-Civil War industry in this part of the U.S.A.
You can read more about the Center Furnace here.
What I found myself contemplating amid this blissfully peaceful setting was how, when left to the elements, a man-made structure will slowly but surely finds its way back into the earth.
After our short step back in time we were off on our hike with no time to waste, as dusk was beginning to fall upon this beautiful, tranquil retreat at Land Between the Lakes.
Have an awesome weekend ~ Amy
Mel says
Oh I LOVE places like that, we call them ghost towns here. My folks took my boys when they were little, they were so mad they didnt get to see any ghosts LOL
Amy says
Places of ruin are so intriguing. One time we visited an old coal mining village way, high up in the mountains of West Virginia. It was really eerie to see all the remnants of days gone by. But we didn’t see any ghosties, either. ;p
Anne says
What a great place to hike in! Thanks for sharing it!!!
Feral Turtle says
Very interesting and most beautiful. I love visiting old heritage sites and this one looks fascinating! Hope you didn’t fall off the path across the water??? Thanks for the great tour….it was almost like I was there.
Amy says
It was so peaceful, not what I’m used to in the burbs of Chicago. I do love these historical sites, as well. Thanks, Karen, so glad you enjoyed the tour.
Doreen@househoneys says
This looks so peaceful and interesting Amy. I really enjoy spaces like this, which is probably why I love old cemeteries 🙂