The town and mining operation was mostly abandoned after the war when the price of zinc plummeted. posted by: frankwimlocation: Arkansasdate approved: 10/11/2008last visited: 9/25/2008view galleryIllinois Furnace - Elizabethtown, ILin Ghost TownsA community of about 100 families grew up around the Illinois Furnace in the mid-1800's to run and support the furnace.