The Long Pond Ironworks, located in present-day Ringwood, New Jersey, was established in 1766 by German ironmaster Peter Hasenclever of the London-based American Company. Situated near rich deposits of iron ore, vast forests for charcoal, and waterways for power and transport, the site quickly developed into a major ironworking community. The operation included a blast furnace, forge, water-powered bellows, and worker housing, and it played a vital role in regional industry throughout the 18th and 19th centuries.
During the American Revolutionary War, the Long Pond Ironworks contributed significantly to the war effort by producing cannonballs, iron fittings, and other essential materials for the Continental Army. The site remained in operation through various ownerships into the late 19th century, adapting to changing technologies and demands. Today, the Long Pond Ironworks Historic District is preserved within Long Pond Ironworks State Park, where ruins of the furnace, waterwheels, and workers' village can still be seen, offering a rare glimpse into early American industrial history.
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Stories from Long Pond Ironworks
The Dey Mansion, built around 1770, served as General George Washington’s headquarters in 1780 during a pivotal time in the American Revolution. As one of his surviving field headquarters, it offers a lasting connection to the strategic decisions, military challenges, and historic events that shaped the fight for independence.
The Battle of Mount Holly, also known as Iron Works Hill, fought on December 23, 1776, was a minor skirmish in which Hessian Colonel Carl von Donop occupied the town, diverting his forces from Trenton and indirectly contributing to Washington’s victory there three days later.