Fitzroy Iron Works
The Fitzroy Iron Works at Mittagong, New South Wales, was the first commercial iron smelting works in Australia. It first operated in 1848.
Fitzroy Iron Works, showing the blast furnace apparently in operation. | |
| Formerly | Fitzroy Iron Mine |
|---|---|
| Company type | Iron Mine and Smelting operation |
| Founded | 1850 |
| Founders |
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| Headquarters | Mittagong, New South Wales, Australia |
Area served | New South Wales |
| Products | iron |
From 1848 to around 1910, various owners and lessees attempted to achieve profitable operation but ultimately none succeeded. More than once, new managers repeated more or less the same mistakes made by earlier ones. Over the second half of the 19th century, the name 'Fitzroy Iron Works' became almost synonymous with lost opportunities, repeated failure, lost capital, misplaced trust, and general misfortune.
The Fitzroy Iron Works was—several times—a commercial failure, but it played a part in laying the foundations of the later success of the Australian iron and steel industry, and it was important in the growth of the township of Mittagong.
Relics of the old iron-works were discovered during excavations for redevelopment of its site, during 2004, have been preserved and are on display. There are also some remnants and a commemorative cairn at the adjacent site of its former blast furnace.