Franklin Furnace: Horseback Riding and Iron History

When planning a trip to Franklin Furnace, three themes come into focus: horseback riding at Ohio Horse Park, the history of the iron furnace called Franklin Furnace, and the Ginat Run Public Boat Ramp on the Ohio River. First, you can decide whether equestrian activities, local history, or the river will shape your stay. This gives your hotel search a specific reason for traveling.

Horseback Riding at Ohio Horse Park

Ohio Horse Park is located at 400 Bobcat Lane in Franklin Furnace. It is a center for learning and opportunities for Ohio University students and the general public. The park is dedicated to promoting a love of horses and equestrian sports.

Riding lessons are offered to people aged four and older and range from beginner to advanced level. Specialties include barrel racing, pole bending, and cow horse work. You should confirm lesson dates and availability in advance.

Adkins Performance Horses offers clinics throughout the year. Clinics and riding lessons are distinct horse-related options to consider when planning your trip. Together with the park's focus on learning and equestrian sports, they give this stay a clear theme. The year-round availability applies to clinics, not automatically to individual riding lessons; confirm lesson dates and availability separately.

Iron Furnace History and Day Cemetery

The iron furnace called Franklin Furnace was located in the original French Grant in Green Township. Its production capacity was seven tons of iron per day; the furnace was shut down in 1860.

Another way to explore the area's history is through Day Cemetery. Kimber Barton, considered one of the earliest settlers in the French Grant, is buried there. The cemetery is in Green Township in Franklin Furnace, on property currently owned by Ohio University's Equine College. It is approximately a quarter mile south of the Ohio River. If you are considering a visit to the cemetery, confirm access in advance. The iron furnace and the cemetery have different historical focuses: one relates to iron production, while the other is connected to a person from the early settlement history of the French Grant.

On the Ohio River

Ginat Run Public Boat Ramp is on the Ohio River near Franklin Furnace. If you plan to visit the ramp, check before setting out whether it is currently accessible for use. Day Cemetery is approximately a quarter mile south of the Ohio River; Ginat Run Public Boat Ramp is on the river near Franklin Furnace. Thus, the river serves as a directional reference for the cemetery and as the immediate point of reference for the ramp.

Discover more destinations: Wheelersburg, Shawnee State Forest

For the broader travel overview: Scioto County.