A bus tour of Lawrence County’s historic iron furnace sites is planned for Sunday, Oct.

Tuesday, September 28, 1999

A bus tour of Lawrence County’s historic iron furnace sites is planned for Sunday, Oct. 3, 1-4 p.m., sponsored by the Ironton Co-Operative Club.

"The Co-Op Club wanted to plan something special in commemoration of the sesquicentennial celebration," said Jody Cloran, club president and furnace tour co-chairwoman.

"In addition to this Sunday’s furnace tour, the club will hold its annual tour of homes on Sunday, Oct. 17, and craft show Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 16-17," she explained. "However, this year’s homes tour will focus solely on the magnificent older homes and buildings in the downtown Ironton area."

The historic iron furnace tour is $15 per person and includes a box lunch. A maximum of 34 tickets will be sold.

Two 17-passenger buses will be used for the tour, Mrs. Cloran said, with a volunteer from the Lawrence County Historical Society serving as a tour guide on each bus. The two guides will be Marvin Black, immediate past president of the historical society, and Nancy Black.

"We ask that those participating wear sturdy shoes and casual clothes and bring a walking stick," she said. "The box lunch will be eaten at the first stop ­ around 1:15 p.m. ­ so no one will have to worry about being hungry after church."

Participants should meet at 12:45 p.m. in the Pick n’ Save parking lot in the area behind McDonald’s restaurant. The buses will load passengers there, and those attending may leave their vehicles in the lot during the three-hour tour. Buses will leave the parking lot promptly at 1 p.m.

The first stop will be Lake Vesuvius where the Vesuvius Furnace will be toured and the box lunches will be served in the picnic area. Lunches are compliments of the dietary department at River Valley Health System.

From there, participants will tour the Olive Furnace, Buckhorn Furnace, Etna Furnace and LeGrange Furnace. Also planned is a visit at Nannie Kelly Wright’s summer home as well as a restroom stop at the Mt. Olive Church.

"As one of the city’s oldest organizations, we wanted to plan something very special for the sesquicentennial year," Mrs. Cloran said.

"If the tour is as popular as we think it will be, there is a possibility we will sponsor a similar guided tour again in the spring."

Working with Mrs. Cloran on planning the tour is Virginia Bryant, historic furnace tour co-chairwoman.

For more information or to purchase a ticket, contact Betty Douglas at LeBelle Beauty Salon 532-4601.