The industrial complex was built in 1753[2] by Richard Ford's small business,[3] the Newland Company.

As the company itself was established in Cumbria, the blast furnace was managed by a local representative of the firm.

As the complex did not include a forge, finished iron products could not be manufactured, with the exception of simple objects such as cannonballs.

The majority of pig iron was taken to offices of the Newland Company in Cumbria to be shipped for further processing.

The storehouses were dug into a bank, so that material could be brought in at the back of the building, at the top of the slope, and removed at a lower level at the front.

North of the smelter was the blowing house which, equipped with bellows, continuously supplied air to the furnace.

On the eastern exterior wall of the house was a water wheel which kept the bellows in constant motion.