Founded in 1762, the well-preserved Boiling Springs Furnace (Carlisle Iron Works) is set in a beautiful historic district along the Appalachian Trail
The Boiling Springs Furnace, also known as the Carlisle Iron Works, was built in 1762 by John Rigbie & Co. circa 1762 next to the Yellow Breeches Creek. The creek was dammed to form a lake in the 1730s to power a grist mill and later for Boiling Springs Furnace.
Like all early iron furnaces, Boiling Springs Furnace was constricted in a location near an abundance of the three resources necessary to make iron, in addition to waterpower: iron ore from South Mountain, limestone from Limestone Ridge, and hardwood forests for making charcoal.
Note how the iron furnace is built against the side of a hill. This was a common practice, enabling the raw materials to be carted and charged into the top of the furnace via a bridge between the hill and the furnace.
Boiling Springs Furnace was a cold blast furnace charcoal furnace. The iron works complex included a forge, grist mill, iron master’s mansion, stables, barns, tenant houses, coal houses, and carpenter and blacksmith shops.
After 1781, the Carlisle Ironworks complex was operated by notable ironmaster Michael Ege who also built the impressive Georgian-style mansion just a few minutes’ walk up the hill from the furnace. Today the 16-room mansion is known as the Ege-Bucher mansion and is a private residence. The Carlisle Iron Works closed around 1895
While you are in Boiling Springs be sure to stroll then historic town and visit the Children’s Lake Park and “boiling” springs just across the street from the furnace. The Appalachian Trail runs through the park, and the Yellow Breeches Creek is a wildly popular fishing spot.
Here is one of the famous springs that feeds the Yellow Breeches Creek and Children’s Lake. The springs bubble up with such vigor, you can see how appropriately the town is named “Boiling Springs”. Check out the video at the end of the post to see what we mean.
The Boiling Springs Furnace is located on the southeastern edge of town. There is a generous parking lot adjacent to the furnace at 40.15904, -77.13684. However, the Yellow Breeches Creek is a premier trout stream, so expect company if you visit during fishing season. In fact, the parking lot and street parking for several blocks was filled to capacity during our visit in early April. But that worked out to our benefit, because we parked on a street on the other side of Children’s Lake and got to enjoy a walk through the historic neighborhoods and along the lake. In addition to the well-preserved furnace, this adventure is noteworthy for the historic town, lake, springs, creek, and the Appalachian Trail.
Be sure to check out our other adventures.
While you’re in the neighborhood, explore this nearby adventure
