GHOST TOWN TRAIL MAP
ELIZA FURNACE - Located near the community of
Vintondale, it is regarded as PA's best-preserved hot blast iron furnace.
Operating from 1846-1849, it produced pig iron for the Pittsburgh market &
is listed in the National Register.
RED MILL BRIDGE - One of the few iron truss bridges still
in use in rural Cambria County. The
100 ft. long single span was built about 1890 by the "Variety Iron Works",
Cleveland, Ohio, to carry wagons & pedestrians across Blacklick Creek. It’s located 300 ft. from the bike
trail.
THE OLD RED MILL - This grist mill was built in 1828 by
John Duncan and operated until about 1912. Located on the North branch of
Blacklick Creek, all that remains is the millrace. The millrace was a channel that diverted water from the main streambed & forced it to run under the mill thus operating the grinding wheel. The millrace is located between the RED MILL COTTAGE and the white hunting cabin. Large hand-hewn beams with wooden pegs, like the type used to build the mill are located by the historic marker in Red Mill.
EBENSBURG SAND, CLAY &
STONE COMPANY/BLACKLICK SAND COMPANY - This sandstone quarry operated from 1920-1926 on the Rexis
Branch in Red Mill. Remaining are the stone field office, large bins (some still
contain sand), and three of the ten original houses built for the employees
(located further up the trail). Stone railroad ties, known as sleepers, similar
to the ones used to construct the quarry railroad siding can be seen in the
parking area in Red Mill.
HISTORIC EVENT - On October 11, 1924, a train robbery occurred along the Rexis Branch that resulted in the death of one railroad employee and the theft of a $33,000 coal mine payroll. Only part of the money was recovered with the bank robbers. They were later convicted and put to death.