Built by James Rodgers and others in 1832, Etna Furnace had a 16 ton capacity. Etna Furnace stopped producing charcoal in 1887 when possible financial difficulties resulted in closing the furnace.
The builder is a well known historical figure in Lawrence County. He with Mr. Meaks, John Sparks, and Valentine Fear built the first furnace on the Ohio side of the river in 1826. Rodgers went on to build and run Etna Furnace until a few weeks before his death in June, 1860. He was also the president of the Iron Bank and Lawrence Rolling Mill, a state senator representing Lawrence, Gallia, Athens and Meigs Counties in 1837, and he held other public offices.
