Appomattox Iron Works, 20-28 Old Street, Petersburg, Petersburg, Virginia

Significance: A unique complex of structures which document the transition from antebellum agricultural economy to industrial development in the South following the Civil War. It is also one of the most complete physical records of an early iron foundry in the country. / Appomattox Iron Works is representative of thousands of small foundry and machine shops established in industrial and agricultural communities to provide machinery of all descriptions and agricultural implements to mill operators and farmers. These works were common in rural towns, especially in the South, until the Second World War when standardization of parts, the consolidation of many smaller works into larger companies and modern retail marketing practices put custom foundries such as this out of business. While other foundries disappeared, Appomattox with its physical plant, machinery, tools and patterns remained intact because Albert Steer, the son of one of the early owners, maintained the business until his death in 1972. Located in some of the oldest buildings to survive in the ante-bellum commercial district of Petersburg, the nine building complex is indicative of a small town iron works of the late-19th and early-20th century. It is the accumulated collection of buildings, machinery, patterns and tools, plus the business records, that make the site an unusual survival as well as an outstanding physical record of iron manufacturing in the south. Established in 1876, the Works moved to its present location in 1899. The foundry ceased operations in 1946 though the machine shop continued until 1952. The mill and hardware store closed in 1972. The site is being rehabilitated by Frank Peckinpaugh as a local museum, antiques and crafts shop.
Unprocessed Field note material exists for this structure: FN-5
Survey number: HAER VA-25
Building/structure dates: 1889 Initial Construction