Norton Furnace

Massachusetts ghost towns are mill villages from the first Industrial Revolution — some of the oldest ruins in America.

Norton Furnace is a ghost town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. The settlement was located approximately 2 mi (3.2 km) south of Norton. The general area where Norton Furnace was located, between Norton and Oakland, is today known as Meadowbrook (at Meadow Brook Pond). The Furnace operated by the Wading River which junctions with the Three Mile River; these rivers were essential to the daily operations of the furnace.

The on-the-ground condition of Norton Furnace is unverified — it's listed here with unknown status. That could mean standing buildings, or an empty field. Go prepared for either, and consider sharing what you find so the record improves.

Nobody has confirmed the access situation, so treat any visit as reconnaissance: verify land ownership first, and be ready to admire from the road.

Here's the honest truth: access to Norton Furnace is unverified. We couldn't confirm whether the site sits on public land, private property, or something in between — so verify land ownership and local rules before visiting, and respect private property at all times. The mapped point for Norton Furnace is roughly 41.9386, -71.1594 — use it as a starting point and cross-reference a current topographic map before leaving pavement.

Ghost-town etiquette is simple: take only photographs. Removing artifacts is illegal on public lands and disrespectful everywhere else — and on federal land it can be a serious offense.