cavalry until the bridge across the Susquehanna was fired, and the valuable stores in Lancaster County saved from the Confederate hordes. Churches all over the State contain medallions, tablets and stained glass windows in memory of devoted pastors, church workers and churchly benefactors. Schools perpetuate the names of popular teachers, or great men, by their names, or by tablets placed in the halls or corridors. Hon. Gifford Pinchot wisely created the plan of naming groves of ancient trees after historic characters, like Alan Seeger Park, Joyce Kilmer Park and Dr. J. T. Rothrock Forest. But we are here today to speak of the most permanent form of all historical commemorating, the marking of historical spots. It is not battlegrounds alone that will tell the history of our people in the years to come, but the landmarks of domestic activity, commerce and manufactures. It is fitting that an important stage in the industrial development of Pennsylvania, like the charcoal iron furnaces should be marked. Every one of them, as far as known, should be as adequately commemorated as is this one here today. It is astonishing how little is known concerning the charcoal iron industry, which is only now going out of existence. Centre County had one or two of these old furnaces, notably the one at Curtin, in operation until very recently. No general comprehensive history of this industry has ever been published; it is kept alive by fragments of history, fugitive literary pieces, tradition, that is about all. Yet it was not only important commercially, but historically valuable and picturesque from a social and literary viewpoint. These feudal lords, the Ironmasters, were the big men of their day, the Schwabs, Donners and Replogles of an earlier generation, yet how few of their names remain. It was timely to mark this old furnace, to save it from oblivion by reviewing its history and to inspire other communities to do likewise. Some are of unknown locations, and their names only remain on bits of old stove plates. There is a rich field of research for the antiquarian and writer, just to confine himself to the history of this charcoal iron industry.