Claysburg PAST Announces Walking Tour of Sarah Furnace Property in Sproul

Claysburg PAST has announced an outside walking history tour of the Sarah Furnace property in Sproul on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022, at 1:30 p.m. The property, currently owned by Sheetz, is shown above. Sheetz has given permission for a walking tour and are supplying light food and beverages after the tour on the property.

The Sarah Furnace property was originally built in 1832 by Dr. Peter Schoenberger. It was an ironmaking operation that continued in business until 1881. A 21-room mansion was built there and named for his daughter Sarah, who resided there with her family.

Later the property was owned by David Reighard, who had a Claysburg connection. Reighard lived in Pittsburgh and was in the oil and gasoline business and used the property for weekend and summer living. Reighard became a millionaire with his oil businesses.

General Refractories then acquired the property after Reighard's death in 1913 and used it for homes for management employees until a few years ago. HarbisonWalker Refractories in a merger with General Refractories then became the owners.

In early 2020, Sheetz became the owners. No one can access any buildings on the property due to safety concerns and conditions of the 190-year-old buildings. Sheetz will be providing light refreshments after the tour at the site.

The tour will be broken into five different presentations for approximately 15 minutes each with a question and answer session. Tour visitors will need to move a small distance from one spot to another for each of the five presentations. We recommend bringing a lawn chair for additional comfort or you may stand for the presentations. Also, dress weather appropriate since this is an outdoor event.

Tickets will be limited and advanced sale only. At approximately 3 p.m., after the 1 1/2 hour of talks, food will be supplied. Anyone may then participate in a short 3-mile drive through Claysburg on Bedford Street from Sproul to Polecat Road, where participants will be given a history sheet test. They will have up to 1 1/2 hours to complete the drive and test and turn it in. Winners will be selected for gift cards. There is no additional charge for this tour.

Tickets are currently on sale. They can be purchased at the Claysburg Area Public Library or by calling Elaine Smith at (814) 937-3397.