A vital industrial engine of the American Revolution
Carlisle Iron Works, located in what is now Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania, was one of the earliest iron production sites in the region, established around 1760–1762 by John Rigbie & Company and later operated by ironmaster Michael Ege. Its charcoal blast furnace (whose stone stack still stands today) was integral to colonial industry, smelting local iron ore and producing pig iron for tools, hardware, and military supplies.
During the Revolutionary War, the Carlisle Iron Works shifted its focus from general ironmaking to support the Patriot cause. It supplied cast iron munitions, including cannon and shot, that were used by the Continental Army and militia forces fighting British rule. The iron produced here was drawn from nearby ore deposits and fueled by charcoal made from abundant local forests—a testament to the region’s early industrial capacity.
The Iron Works’ contribution complemented Carlisle’s broader role as a supply and arms hub during the Revolution. Nearby Carlisle served as a strategic logistics center for organizing, storing, and distributing war materiel to troops from Pennsylvania and beyond.
Address: 109 Bucher Hill Road, Boiling Springs, PA 17007
Access notes: Open dawn to dusk.
Visitor Tips: Parking is available in a designated lot.
Nearby you’ll spot the Ege-Bucher Mansion, a Georgian-style home built by ironmaster Michael Ege. It is a private residence and not open for tours, but you can view it from the park.
Hungry? Caffe 101, a quaint, laid-back cafe featuring coffee, pastries, sandwiches, and ice cream, is located at 101 Front Street, Boiling Springs, PA 17007.
Patriot’s Story: Michael Ege
1748–1815
Michael Ege was born in 1748 in Germany and immigrated to Pennsylvania as a young man, bringing with him the technical knowledge and ambition that would make him one of the region’s most important ironmasters, ultimately operating four local iron works (two of which are sites on the Patriots’ Path). By the early 1770s, Ege was operating the Carlisle Iron Works at what is now Boiling Springs, transforming local iron ore, charcoal, and limestone into pig iron essential for everyday life—and soon, for war.
When the American Revolution erupted, Ege did not take up a musket, but his furnace became a weapon of independence. Under Patriot contracts, the Carlisle Iron Works produced iron used for cannon, shot, tools, and military hardware, supplying the Continental Army and Pennsylvania militia at a moment when reliable domestic manufacturing could mean the difference between resistance and defeat. The work was grueling and dangerous, carried out by skilled laborers who kept the furnace burning day and night to meet wartime demand.
Ege’s contribution exemplified the civilian commitment that sustained the Revolution. While soldiers marched and fought, ironmasters like Ege ensured they were armed, supplied, and able to continue the struggle. His operations tied frontier Pennsylvania directly to the broader war effort, making Carlisle a critical node in the Patriot supply network.
After the war, Ege continued to expand iron production in central Pennsylvania, helping lay the foundation for America’s early industrial growth. He died in 1815, leaving behind not only furnaces and forges, but a legacy forged in service to independence.
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Content in this section was curated by volunteers from the Army Heritage Center Foundation.