So described in 1880 by John Birkinbine, founder of the United States Association of Charcoal Iron Workers, after visits to various Southern iron furnaces. In the group’s publication, Journal of the U.S. Association of Charcoal Iron workers, Birkinbine wrote:
“We make no invidious comparisons nor detract from any
other furnace when we say that the Shelby Iron Works is
the Queen of American charcoal furnaces. Whatever money
could do to make a complete works has been done here.”
