Curtain Village & The Eagle Iron Works

     When you visit Curtain Village in Centre County, it’s like taking a walk in the past. Curtain Village, or The Eagle Iron Works, was a small town that sprang up around the iron industry. In 1818, Roland Curtain and Moses Boggs erected the eagle furnace in what is now Boggs Township. The 11,000 acres that they bought were abundant in hematite iron, limestone, and running water to power the operation. The iron produced was shipped by ground and canal until the Pennsylvania Railroad was established and helped to transport the more than 600 tons of iron a year. In 1848, the Eagle Furnace was replaced by the Pleasant Furnace and is today the last charcoal iron furnace in Central Pennsylvania.

      Centered around the Eagle Iron Works, Curtain Village became its own sustainable community. A mill and forge soon followed after the furnace was built and the property continued to grow to include a village for the workers. The village included homes, stores, a school and a church. From 1810 to 1921 over 60 structures were built-in Curtain Village. One of the most impressive is the Mansion that was built-in the Federal Style in 1830. The mansion has over fifteen rooms and ten fireplaces and serves as a visitor center now.

     Currently Curtain Village is accessible to the public. Many of the buildings still exist and are well
maintained by The Pennsylvania Historical and Museums Commission. The property opens on Memorial Day and guided tours are available on weekends.

     To get to Curtain Village, take I-80 to exit 158; Turn left onto Route 150 and then turn right at the sign.