John Coates and the Howell family of Philadelphia built the Etna Furnace, whose first manager was John Ladd Howell II. At its most active times, about 200 men worked here, and the site included a sawmill, gristmill, and about 50 homes. Power for the furnace bellows came from a dam built below Head of the River and a raceway constructed to the furnace waterwheel, which still may be seen. The furnace produced bar iron for spikes ranging from 6 inches to two feet and bolts for ships. Once in blast, it operated continuously for about 9 months of the year and shut down only for repairs and cleaning when the river froze.