Ironville

Ironville, Kentucky, located in Bath County, owes its existence entirely to the iron ore deposits discovered in the region. Founded in the mid-19th century, its primary purpose was to facilitate the production of pig iron. The town blossomed around the iron furnace, attracting workers and their families, creating a self-sufficient community complete with company housing, stores, and other essential services. Ironville provides a glimpse into Kentucky's industrial past, showcasing a period when the state attempted to capitalize on its natural resources and compete with industrial centers in other regions.

While Ironville never achieved the scale of larger industrial hubs, its story is emblematic of the boom-and-bust cycles experienced by many resource-dependent communities. The iron industry in Bath County eventually declined, leading to the gradual abandonment of Ironville. Today, little remains of the original town, but the memory of its contribution to Kentucky's industrial heritage persists. The site of the former community serves as a reminder of the labor and ambition that characterized this era of Kentucky's history. It serves as an important, tangible connection to the history of iron production in the state.

Though now a ghost town, Ironville serves as an important part of Kentucky history, teaching about resource use, industry and labor.