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Brierfield Ironworks Historical State Park

“Brierfield is far from crowds, providing a beautiful, tranquil oasis with a backdrop of more than 150 years of history.”

:: Ratings

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:: Key Information

ADDRESS: 240 Furnace Pkwy., Brierfield, AL 35035

OPERATED BY: Alabama Historic Commission

CONTACT: 205-665-1856; brierfieldironworks.com

OPEN: Year-round

SITES: 25 improved, 9 primitive

SITE AMENITIES: Improved—picnic table, fire ring with grill, water, power; primitive—picnic table, fire ring

ASSIGNMENT: First-come, first-serve

REGISTRATION: Pay attendant at camp store

FACILITIES: Flush toilets, hot showers, playground, pool, camp store

PARKING: At each site

FEE: Improved (for 4 people), $20; primitive (for 4 people), $12; add $3 for each additional person

ELEVATION: 437'

RESTRICTIONS:

Pets: On leash only

Fires: In fire ring only

Alcohol: Prohibited

Vehicles: 2/site

Other: Quiet hours 10 p.m.–6 a.m.; 1 tent (4 people)/site

The centerpiece of Brierfield Ironworks Historical State Park is the furnace itself, named Bibb for the county where it was constructed. The story of the Bibb Furnace begins in 1862, when Caswell Campbell Huckabee saw the region’s commercial potential. Working with several partners, Huckabee formed the Bibb County Iron Company. Built with slave labor, the furnace was soon producing what was described as “the toughest and most suitable iron for making guns above any other in the South.”

The Confederacy bought the foundry in 1863 for the price of $600,000 and nine slaves. Not long after that, the Union Army took notice and came to town, burning everything in its path, including the furnace.

In later years individuals would try to resurrect the Bibb Furnace. The former chief of ordnance for the Confederacy, Josiah Gorgas, assembled a crew to make the furnace operational once again, but the effort did not succeed for long, and in 1873 the furnace’s flames died out for a second time.

The history of the Bibb Furnace didn’t end there, however. In 1882 a man named Thomas Jefferson Peter and a group of investors brought the furnace back online one last time. It became very profitable, so much so that the town of Brierfield became known as the Magic City of Bibb County. In 10 years, however, the magic disappeared. Birmingham’s new and modern metal furnaces could produce 10 times as much iron as Bibb, which forced the foundry out of business again, this time for good.

That’s where the story could have ended, but the Bibb County Historical Society urged officials to establish a park here: Brierfield Ironworks Historical State Park.

Through the society’s efforts, Brierfield lives once again. Nestled deep in the woods on 45 acres, Brierfield is far from crowds, providing a beautiful, tranquil oasis with a backdrop of more than 150 years of history.

While smaller than neighboring Tannehill, the park still does an excellent job of keeping the history alive. The big furnace was toppled by the Union Army, and much was lost to the elements, and even lost to scavengers seeking souvenirs. A shelter now protects the crumpled remains of the brickwork. Quietly stroll around the structure and you can almost see the history, imagining the thick, black smoke billowing from a 60-foot smokestack and hundreds of men toiling in the heat to make the desperately needed iron for the war effort. A nice hiking trail leads to the top of a hill overlooking the ruins.

Today, Brierfield has grown, covering more than 1,500 acres. There are 25 improved campsites, each with power, water, a picnic table, and a fire ring. Improved sites 1–10 are more suited for RVs than tent campers. The sites are well separated, providing some privacy. Sites 18–22 are located along a small creek, Furnace Creek, which has a nice flow in the spring. Site 11 is located near the remains of the furnace, giving you a historic view to wake up to.

The park is rimmed with nine primitive sites. Tucked away in the hardwood forest are two very nondescript ones, which are on the very north side of the park just across the road from the main campground. The remainder are found in an open field between the main gate and furnace. Each primitive site has a picnic table and a fire ring as well as simple dirt or grass pad.

The park has a swimming pool by the bathhouse. If you register for an improved site, the pool is free; otherwise a pool pass is $5 per person.

The camp store, located in the office, has a good selection of items and plenty of snacks. A very clean bathhouse with hot showers is outside the campground at the south end of the park. The shower doors are made from old-fashioned wooden planks, reminiscent of days gone by.

:: Getting There

From McCalla take AL 25 South 6.6 miles. Turn left onto County Road 62. Travel 0.4 mile and take the first left onto CR 62/Furnace Parkway. In 0.3 mile arrive at the park entrance.

GPS COORDINATES N33° 02.290' W86° 56.931'