I have been working on obtaining some background information on the history of three main steel work plants that have had a direct affect on the employment history of many of our family members throughout the years 1880 to 1976.
Here is a small summary of what I have found so far.
PENCOYD IRON WORKS
This mill was located on fifty acres along the Schuylkill River which was once known as West Manayunk. This area today is called Belmont Hills.
The mill was founded in 1852 by the Robert's Family and was a major bridge and structural steel maker in its time. In 1900 Pencoyd joined the United States Steel Company and changed its name to the American Bridge Company. It employed about 1,000 men.
In 1937 it became a subsidiary of the Carnegie-Illinois Steel Company but closed its door after World War II. Portion of the plant's grounds was taken over by Connelly Containers which was a carton factory. Next to the mill there was a dyewood and chemical mill which later was known as S.A. Rudolph's Ashland Paper Mill.
ALLENWOOD STEEL PLANT
There was very little information I was able to locate on this mill. However, what I did find out was the plant was started by the Allen Wood Family who at the time owned most of Conshohocken and whose family had one of the largest estates/mansions (Spring Mill Road) on the Main Line.
I came across alot of legal ligation about the plant's huge asbestos problem and its relation to an increase in cancer among its employees. I have not investigated in its entirety therefore, I do not know what the outcome may have been. The plant was torn down and as of today a large part of it remains a large empty lot. In the surrounding areas, there are quarries and some new housing developments. Hopefully, I can discover more about this plant and its operations at a later date.
Midvale Steel
The mill was founded in 1873 by Edward Clark (son of a City Banker and wealthiest known residents of Germantown) and William Sellers (who discovered a thread for machine screws and bolts).
In the 19th Century, Midvale Steel was one of the largest leading metal works along side of Baldwin Locomotive and William Cramp Shipyard.
By the late 1870's it became the country's leader in the development of machine tools such as heavy-duty lathes, planers, boring machines and metal-cutting machines.
In 1875, Midvale received an order to make Naval guns and became the Nation's "pioneer" maker of steel for all large guns and heavy armor. Congress wanted the country to become a World Power by having a strong Navy which Midvale helped provide and during this time in 1875 the plant still lit its factory with kerosene torches and employed only about 4oo men who used a small open hearth furnace to melt steel. Midvale was the leader in all top military contracts until Bethlehem and Carnegie Steel entered the Steel Works business.
In 1878 Frederick Taylor was hired on as a foreman for the machine shop and would later be known as the "Father of Scientific Management" for his invention of the "high speed tool" used for steel.
As the 19th Century came to a close, Midvale had 1200 employees whom 200 of them were black, By 1900 there would be 3400 employees whom 1,000 of them would be black.
When World War I broke out the plant had so many military orders to fill it had 11,500 employees. After this war it converted its Nicetown operation to produce only "specialty steel products" and by 1928 the plant was down to 1800 employees which increased during the time of World war II but never regained its earlier popularity because of other steel works competition in Pittsburgh.
In 1976, Midvale closed its doors due to severe economic problems.
In 1977, it was purchased and was to reopen under new ownership. That endeavor failed.
Today, most steel is made overseas.
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