Fort Pitt Foundry-- Part 1: Maker of the Union's Cannons

From the May 5, 2011, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:Fort Pitt Foundry."

This continues with the thread that started with John Peter of McHenry County, Illinois, and then went to the 88th Illinois, Francis T. Sherman, Alexander McClurg and now back to the Fort Pitt Foundry.

Fort Pitt Foundry was known as the manufacturer of cannons, and especially the really, really big ones,. including the behemoth 20-inch Rodman once cast there.

The foundry provided weapons for U.S. troops in three wars: War of 1812, Mexican War and Civil War.  It was established by Joseph McClurg in 1804 at the corner of Fifth Aveue and Smithfield Street and later moved to the Strip District at 12th and Etna, just across the street from what is now the Heinz History Center.

Of course, wars create a huge demand for cannons, and the Civil War, being the biggest war the young country was yet in, meant that a lot were needed.

--Old Secesh