Pine Grove Furnace
Also known as: Pine Grove Ironworks
Why it's listed
Pine Grove Furnace is an iron plantation in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, established along Mountain Creek in 1764 by George Stevenson, Robert Thornburg, and John Arthur. The Ege family later came to dominate the works, and Michael Ege acquired full ownership by 1803. The furnace operated until 1895, and its machinery was sold in 1902. The site retains furnace remains, a charcoal-era stone wall, salamanders, race and wheel remains, and a steam blast engine base from the later 19th century. The Ege Mansion, built between 1827 and 1829 with on-site carpentry and brickwork, is an unusual I-house with a central hall, reflecting the influence of Jane Arthur Ege. The property is valued for its industrial remains and its architecture, and it is now part of Pine Grove Furnace State Park.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the site is significant as an iron-making operation that dates to 1764 and was part of a network of ironworks that drove regional economic growth. The Ege Mansion, built 1827-1829, is presented as an unusual and fine example of an English-style I house in Central Pennsylvania, shaped by the influence of the owner's wife.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 77001158, listed April 13, 1977. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | S of Dickinson on PA 233, Dickinson |
|---|---|
| County | Cumberland County |
| Listed | April 13, 1977 |
| Reference number | 77001158 |
| Resource type | Site |
| Period of significance | 1764-1895 |
| Areas of significance | Industry, Historic - Non-Aboriginal, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Machinery was sold in 1902 and the property was acquired by the Commonwealth in 1913 as a forest reserve; the site is now part of Pine Grove Furnace State Park. |
| Acreage | 188 |
| Coordinates | 40.02986, -77.30385 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Sites (archaeological sites, battlefields, landscapes) are often listed with a restricted address to protect them from looting or disturbance. Listing is honorary for private owners; federal undertakings on or near the site go through Section 106 review, and state laws may protect burials and artefacts regardless of listing.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 77001158.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7195174
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.