Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
Marshall Cohen—researcher and producer, CNN
Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
LEAD SMELTERS
LEAD SMELTERS. Lead smelters were used to refine the ore mined from the ground. In 1860 there were four smelting furnaces: Wild's, at the foot of Southern Avenue; Watters & Bronson's, a mile west of Catfish Mills; Brunskill & Watters', a short distance east of Center Grove, and Fern & Simson's, a mile or so west of land owned by William G. STEWART. All smelters were located in ravines since water was needed in the operation of smelting.
See: WATTER'S FURNACE