356 votes

Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark

1236, 20 32nd St N, Birmingham, Alabama 35222 USA

Budget

Closed Now

Opens Tue 10a

Independent
Credit Cards
Accepted
Wheelchair
Accessible
Public
Restrooms

“19th-century blast furnaces!”

Sloss Furnaces produced iron for nearly 90 years, which gave rise to the city of Birmingham, AL. Now recognized as a National Historic Landmark, Sloss Furnaces with its web of pipes and tall smokestacks offers us a glimpse into the great industrial past of the South and our nation. The site currently serves as an interpretive museum of industry and hosts a nationally recognized metal arts program. It also serves as a concert and festival venue. Construction is also underway on a new $10 million visitors center. The furnace site, along a wide strip of land reserved in Birmingham's original city plan for railroads and industry, is also part of a proposed linear park through downtown Birmingham. An annual Halloween haunted attraction called "Sloss Fright Furnace" is held at the site. Once a year, Sloss Furnaces hosts a "Ghost Tour" based on a story written by Alabama folklorist Kathryn Tucker Windham. Sloss Furnaces has been investigated by Ghost Adventures from Travel Channel and also by Syfy's Ghost Hunters. The furnace has been the site of over 70 gruesome deaths, which most paranormal investigators attribute to the violent hauntings that infest the location. Perhaps the most awful death of them all was a man who found himself sucked into the gears of a flywheel and slowly ground into mush.

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Reviewed by
Dana Newkirk

Road Warrior
298 Reviews
377 Helpful

September 16, 2014

Rated 4.0

Sloss Furnace is supposed to be haunted by the spirit of 70 men who died while working at the facility... and most famously by a man who was mashed to death when he was accidentally sucked into some of the equipment. To this day his screams have been heard by countless ghost hunters. There have been many reports of people being kicked, scratched, touched, and even in some cases possessed. It's an insanely beautiful building, and the pictures do not do it justice.

3 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
shockrina

4 Reviews
4 Helpful

October 09, 2013

This is absolutely breath taking during the day to take photos of. Lots of nooks and cranies to get into to get photos.

3 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Dinkum Tribe

36 Reviews
1 Helpful

July 29, 2021

Rated 5.0

Fascinating look into the iron ore industry that shaped Birmingham. All the kids and adults in our group from ages 1-40 enjoyed exploring. The visitors center in nice and air conditioned, yay!

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Reviewed by
TheFrenches

17 Reviews
2 Helpful

June 01, 2021

Sloss Furnaces is an amazing trip back in time! The site is free to walk around and explore. There is also an audio tour. Reported to be haunted. We have had several paranormal experiences there over the years. Definitely check out "the tunnel"! Lots of community events, performances, metal workshops, ghost tales, and Sloss Fright Furnace (during the Halloween season)! Do not miss this on your trip to Birmingham.

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Reviewed by
paigemckennarichmond

11 Reviews
0 Helpful

October 12, 2020

Rated 5.0

One of my FAVORITE spots to visit! It was unexpected but so worth it. We went during the day as to avoid the haunting feeling but you could feel the supernatural in the air. The self-guided tour was free and informational. You have free reign of the entire compound as long as you are being safe and the gift shop inside that interesting artifact and information. A find like no other! 100% recommend!

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