Lock Ridge Park and Furnace

This place is on private property. Listing for informational purposes only. Please do not visit without express permission from the land owner. The centerpiece of the 59 acre park is the Lock Ridge Furnace. What looks like a stone castle was a coal burning iron furnace. The beauty of the furnace and surrounding structures belie their industrial roots.  Lock Ridge is uniquely beautiful when the bluebells are in bloom. “Bluebells” are actually muscari, or grape hyacinth, a plant that produces spikes of blue flowers that resemble bunches of grapes in the spring. The stone structures, arches, and flora make Lock Ridge a favorite place for photography and weddings.  Lock Ridge Park offers a variety of recreational activities. There are trails through the open and wooded areas of the park for hiking, biking, and nature study. There is a field for T-ball and girls softball. Swabia Creek runs through the park and offers limited fishing.  An 81 seat pavilion with a grill, fireplace, and restroom can be reserved. The outdoor area next to the furnace building can be reserved for weddings and events.   Lock Ridge Furnace Museum is a unique monument to the Lehigh County’s industrial heritage. It was an important part of the early iron industry. It operated as an iron mill from 1868 until 1921. Lehigh County acquired the Furnace in 1972. In 1981, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  The museum is operated by the Lehigh County Historical Society. Visitors can tour the rebuilt furnace room, the engine house, and the original cast house. Exhibits illustrate how iron was made over a hundred years ago. Numbered signs allow visitors to take a self-guided tour at any time. Guided tours are offered from 1 to 4 PM on Saturdays and Sundays from May to September.