About Sloss Furnaces

Why does Sloss Furnaces Foundation need your help?

Sloss is currently Birmingham city’s only National Historic Landmark, giving it the distinction “of exceptional value to the nation and an irreplaceable part of our heritage”; the only twentieth century blast furnace in public hands in North America. “It’s more than just a 25,000 ton monument to the industrial revolution. It’s a symbol of pride and progress to the community of Birmingham.”ß Founded by James Withers Sloss in 1881, Sloss Furnace Company can be credited with bringing the industrial revolution and its vitality to Birmingham.

• Just before the turn of the century, the Birmingham District produced 42% of total iron in the U.S.
• The company owned 1,500 beehive coke ovens; 94,500 acres of mineral lands; five coal mines in Jefferson County; red ore mines at Sloss and Irondale; quarries in North Birmingham; 1200 worker tenements, 31 stores, warehouses and office buildings.
• A comment from a former worker was printed as saying, “A lot more than iron flowed from those furnaces. Our whole culture did. Our whole way of life”

The Master Plan improvements will restore the vitality of the 32-acre Sloss site for community enjoyment with improved educational programs and historic resources, recreation, special events and metal arts.Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark is working hard to complete the first capital campaign to restore the furnaces, build a visitor center/museum, improve its educational programming, improve the site as a venue for public events and further develop the nationally acclaimed Metal Arts program and new Performing Arts program.