Russell's Hall Blast Furnace, Dudley, West Midlands

Mr Mills, otherwise unknown as a photographer, recorded the blast furnaces at Russell's Hall, west of Dudley in 1859. At this time the industry was producing a vast number of iron products, including nails, boilers, vices and chains. By the late 18th century Dudley was at the centre of England's iron industry, and the region was dubbed the 'Black Country' because of the blackening of the landscape by the coal and iron industries.
Historic England Archive OP02658.