This property was purchased in 1853 by the Culbertson, Clark and Company. In 1859, Culbertson retired and the firm became the Means, Clark and Company. Cyrus Newkirk was manager at that time. Around 1869, they sank a shaft about 130 feet into the ground to reach the No. 2 Coal, with the intention of using it as fuel. This attempt proved to be a failure due to the high sulphur content in the coal. That high sulphur content would eventually lead to the demise of the iron furnace, and the Belgian Coke Ovens.

In 1872, Thomas B. Bancroft and Charles I. Rader leased the property from the Philadelphia owners and took over the operation. Their firm was known as the Vinton Coal and Iron Company. Bancroft handled the financial aspects of the company and Rader was the manager and mastermind behind the modernization. Vinton no longer operated as a charcoal iron furnace after 1873.

In November, 1873, a modern plant was built on the property and a steel, water cooled jacket was added to the original stack. It had special devices for charging and casting and efficient hot blast stoves. A large steam engine powered the modernized operation. The daily capacity was was increased to 20 tons. The operation ceased in 1883.

A short section of track, known as the Vinton Furnace Switch, connected Vinton Furnace to Vinton Station. The iron and raw materials were hauled to Vinton Station for shipment on the Marietta & Cincinnati Railroad.