Local springs, rich in iron, sulphur and other minerals, were widely advertised as health-giving and the area's scenery, outdoor sports offerings and Silver Lake Hotel became well-known. // end hide --> Yet it was the wilderness, with its ready supplies of iron ore, fuel wood and water power that brought the iron works industry to this site. For these camp sites you enter at Katahdin Iron Works outside of Brownville Junction, drive 12 or so miles down a rough, but passable dirt road, park on the far side of the river, and ford the river. As the iron melted, it dripped into a crucible, which held about two tons of liquid. Contact Us   Cutting and hauling wood to burn in these kilns was a major activity and employed hundreds of men. All that’s left is the furnace and an unidentified stone dome structure. Its beginnings, for example, paralleled a growing demand for iron farm tools, machinery and railroad car wheels. With some variations, this method had prevailed in Ireland for hundreds of years, and in the Andes, for thousands of years. The northern half of the park appears on the back of the map and includes Mount Katahdin as well as the Main Public Woods – Telos Unit, the Debsconeag Lakes Wilderness Area, and the upper half of the Nahmakanta Lake Unit.    Visit TheMaineHighlands.com for more detailed region information, or you can order a Travel Planner HERE! From the first firing of the blast furnace in 1844 Katahdin Iron Works had to cope with its remote location and problems in smelting the local iron sulphide ore. Several different owners saw KIW through expansion and lean times. Facts About The State - For campsite reservations, please call one of the appropriate checkpoints below: Katahdin Ironworks Checkpoint: 207-965-8135 Jo Mary Checkpoint: 207-723-8944 A compilation of rates, special package deals and more for the snowmobiling enthusiast in Northern Maine, Lily Bay State Park is located about 8 miles north of Greenville on the east shore of Moosehead Lake. Businesses   of our lakes, streams and of the close-knit communities, nestled within the picturesque St. John Valley. A state with a rich past of industry in its wilderness, Maine has a number of spots that offer a mix of history and outdoor adventure. The Katahdin Iron Works (KI) Jo-Mary Multiple Use Management Area is a region of about 175,000 acres of privately owned commercial forest, wedged conveniently between Moosehead Lake and Baxter State Park. Copyright © 1995-    Camping is also available for a fee. Open Now. PEACE AND QUIET! In both Ireland, and the Andes, planting is done with what in Ireland is called the "lazy-bed" method. In the end, the iron works failed when huge mill in Pennsylvania brought the nation's new age of steel. BAXTER STATE PARK / Mount Katahdin – Trails Illustrated Map National Geographic's recreational map of Baxter State Park / Mount Katahdin is a two-sided, waterproof map designed to meet the needs of outdoor enthusiasts with unmatched durability and detail. Maine Crafts   You can also check out their blog at VisitMaineHighlands.com. Our high-quality men's clothing is expertly designed and made for the shared joy of the outdoors. For camping information at Maine State Parks including Lily Bay and Peaks-Kenny State Parks: To reach Katahdin Iron Works, take Route 11 to Brownville Junction. Such sights and sounds must have seemed out of place in the Maine wilderness. A place of glory~! Considered one of the last real wilderness areas on the East Coast, the Katahdin/Moosehead Region offers some of the finest camping, fishing, boating, hiking and hunting anywhere. Katahdin Appalachian trail northern terminus 27 miles North Maine Woods Allagash Waterway Penobscott River Trails 6 miles Penobscott River floating, rafting and fishing Hiking and Biking trails within 4 miles Acadia National Park 90 miles The Golden Road 17 miles Katahdin Iron Works … It is the site of an ironworks which operated from 1845 to 1890.