Sheetz Announces Sarah Furnace Property Renovation Plan

The Sarah Furnace property at the intersection of Dunnings Highway and Quarry Road in Sproul will be seeing life again after Sheetz announced its intention to renovate the house and surrounding buildings on the property.

Since around 2016, the nearly 200-year-old buildings, including a 21-room mansion and a barn that once housed 54 mules that transported iron ore from Ore Hill to Sproul have been sitting dormant while the elements began to take its toll.

The Sarah Furnace property was built around 1832 by Dr. Peter Shoenberger who, in 1832, built an iron-making furnace near what is now called Sproul. The mansion boasted 21 rooms with fireplaces made from black marble imported from Greece. The property also has the ironmaster's house, a carriage house, and a wagon shed among other structures.

Throughout its history, the Sarah Furnace property changed hands four times since its original owner, with Sheetz purchasing it from Harbison Walker in 2020.

In a release announcing the Sarah Furnace property renovation, Sheetz CEO/President Travis Sheetz said the project will initially focus on the mansion and mule barn with future projects to include the renovation of the Ironmaster's House as well as other adjacent buildings.

"We are proud to bring these historic buildings back to life because they have so much meaning to the people of Claysburg," Sheetz said. "This project is still in the very early stages, but we look forward to sharing more details."

Preserving the historical value of the Claysburg area is something dear to the heart of local historian Rich Allison. Allison said he had been hoping for years that the property would land in the hands of someone who would save the deteriorating structure from the wrecking ball and value its historical significance.

"I'm excited, and the community is excited because of the historical significance," Allison said. "This was really the first industrial site within the area that employed people in something other than farming."

Allsion said that Claysburg has been blessed with job-sustaining businesses that have allowed the area to experience economic growth while respecting the legacy of the past by recognizing the hisorical value the area offers.

"Sheetz does everything first class and I know that it will be a first-class place on that corner when it's done," Allison said. "We are so grateful to have Sheetz as a part of our community from a business standpoint, and we appreciate the investment they are making to preserve this property."