Hopewell Furnace

A Brief History: The Hopewell Furnace is a National Historic Site located in Southeastern Berks County, near Elverson, Pennsylvania. The Hopewell Furnace was founded in 1771 by ironmaster Mark Bird with operations based around a charcoal-fired cold-blast iron blast furnace, which helped lay the foundation for the transformation of the United States into an industrial giant. . Due to changes in iron making, the Hopewell Furnace became obsolete and discontinued operations in 1883. The property was designated Hopewell Village National Historic Site in 1938, becoming one of the earlier cultural units of the National Park System. Today the restored structures of Hopewell Furnace and village are surrounded by 848 acres of reforested land, French Creek State Park and State Game Lands, compromising the nearly 8,000 acres of the original plantation.

Haunted History: There is a folklore tale about one of the most wanted criminals in the region, known as the Gray Devil. It is said he crossed paths with a beautiful gypsy girl and was tamed by her presence. The gypsy agreed to aid in the capture of the Gray Devil and helped set a trap on the road between Hopewell Dam and the village. The Gray Devil was shot by a sheriff in the shoulder, and later died in Lancaster County Jail. After his death villagers reported witnessing frightening ghostly activity on the grounds of the Hopewell Furnace. It is said the dull thundering of a phantom horses hooves can be heard echoing in the dead of night and if conditions are just right the grim ghost can still be seen himself.