Since getting into the hobby, I've many times wondered about where the iron used in Southern foundries came from. Having a vague sense from my schooling days that the South was relatively poor of minerals which accounted for it being less industrialized than Northern areas. I stumbled today upon a little snippet of history that answers my question and also reveals the origin of the BSR "Red Mountain" namesake. I love me some history and geology!
http://redmountainpark.org/history/the-story-of-red-mountain-park/
http://redmountainpark.org/history/the-story-of-red-mountain-park/