Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park
Confederate Iron Furnace Ruins and Living History in Central Alabama — Historic Ironworks That Supplied Iron to the Confederacy During the Civil War, Three Restored Stone Blast Furnaces Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Pioneer Farm and Living History Demonstrations Every Weekend, Trade Day Flea Market Drawing Thousands of Visitors Monthly, Campground With Full Hookups in Forested Setting, Hiking Trails Including Iron Haul Road Trail, Near McCalla Tuscaloosa County Central Alabama Just Off Interstate 59
Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park is a historical state park near McCalla, Tuscaloosa County, central Alabama, managed by the Tannehill Historical State Park and Museum Commission. The park preserves three restored stone blast furnaces that were critical to the Confederate war effort from 1862 to 1865, featuring furnace ruins listed on the National Register of Historic Places, a pioneer farm with relocated historic cabins and structures demonstrating early Alabama frontier life, living history demonstrations every weekend including blacksmithing and traditional crafts, the famous monthly Trade Day flea market drawing thousands of visitors from across the region, a campground with full hookups and primitive sites in a forested setting along Roupes Creek, hiking and biking trails including the Iron Haul Road Trail, swimming and fishing in Roupes Creek, and a museum documenting Alabama’s 19th-century iron industry and its role in the Civil War.
The three blast furnaces are impressively preserved — massive stone structures rising from the forest floor represent some of the best-preserved Civil War-era industrial sites in the South. The furnaces produced iron from local ore until Union cavalry destroyed them in 1865.
The monthly Trade Day has become legendary — what started as a small craft fair has grown into one of Alabama’s largest flea markets, drawing vendors and shoppers from multiple states to browse antiques, crafts, food, and collectibles spread across the park grounds.
Things to Do
- Iron furnaces — Confederate industrial
- Trade Day — monthly flea market
- Living history — weekend demos
- Camping — full hookups
- Hiking — Iron Haul Road Trail
- Pioneer farm — historic cabins
Park Information
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Near McCalla, off I-59, AL |
| Furnaces | 3 restored, NRHP-listed |
| Trade Day | Monthly flea market |
| Camping | Full hookups + primitive |
| Living History | Every weekend |
| Managed By | Tannehill Historical Commission |
| Coordinates | 33.2500° N, 87.0667° W |
Frequently Asked Questions
Wildlife & Nature
Tannehill Ironworks HSP — features three restored Confederate-era blast furnaces — part of a vital iron-producing complex destroyed by Union cavalry in 1865. The park’s ironworks ruins, creek, and hardwood forest support white-tailed deer, songbirds, and wild turkeys. The Iron & Steel Museum documents Alabama’s industrial heritage.
Nearby Attractions
McCalla — adjacent. Birmingham — 20 miles north. Tuscaloosa County — surrounding.
What is Trade Day at Tannehill?
Trade Day at Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park is a massive monthly flea market held on the park grounds near McCalla, Alabama. Drawing thousands of visitors from across the region, it features antiques, crafts, food vendors, and collectibles. The park also preserves three NRHP-listed Confederate blast furnaces, offers weekend living history demonstrations, camping with full hookups, hiking trails, and a pioneer farm with historic cabins.
Last updated: May 2026
Park Location
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