Vandals damage historic furnace; reward offered for info
STRUTHERS — A reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of people who vandalized the historic Hopewell Furnace. Anyone with information about the vandalism should call the Struthers Police Department at (330) 755-9849.
The Hopewell Furnace, built by Dan and James Heaton in 1802 or 1803 along the banks of Yellow Creek in what is now Struthers, was the first blast furnace in Ohio. Heaton family members from Illinois visited the site on April 4 along with Mill Creek MetroPark officials, Struthers Historical Society and local history buffs. The vandalism was discovered and reported to Struthers police on April 20. The report says 10 large rocks were removed from the entrance of the furnace structure and rolled down an embankment, and that the immediate area was littered with several beer cans.