Iron making was one of the first industries in Western Virginia because the area had an abundance of iron ore, wood, limestone, and water power. It began in 1742 when William Vestal built a small iron furnace, called a bloomery, in Jefferson County. These bloomeries made small amounts of iron used for tools and nails, typically on farms.

Larger blast furnaces and forges were soon built, allowing people to make a wider variety of products, such as pots and pans. The first blast furnace in West Virginia was built in 1763 by John Semple. However, the growth of the iron industry slowed during the American Revolution and didn’t expand westward for many years.