This enormous outcropping of limestone (up to 90 feet tall) is the main reason for the location of the Fayette furnace. Limestone was needed to provide a 'flux' in the blasting process to separate the impurities from the ore. The actual limestone quarry is a few hundred yards to the right of this photo. In addition to furnace operations, the limestone was used in building construction both in block form and in making mortar and plaster.