Pencoyd Iron Works

Pencoyd Iron Works. Cynwyd Heritage Trail. , The Pencoyd Iron Works was founded by Algernon and Percival Roberts, heirs of John Roberts, one of the first Welsh settlers of this region in 1683. John Roberts had named his land "Pencoyd," meaning "head of the woods" in Welsh., In 1852, the brothers began the construction of a specialty foundry, manufacturing railroad axles along the banks of the Schuylkill River. In 1859, the business expanded to include the manufacture of iron and steel bridges. It soon became a leading bridge producer, constructing hundreds of bridges across North America, including the Pencoyd Bridge, and the famous Upper Steel Arch Bridge across Niagara Falls., By 1883, its footprint encompassed 80 acres, including two miles of railroad tracks, and it produced products at a capacity of 35,000 tons per year. There were over 700 employees, many of whom lived nearby in company-owned workforce housing., By 1900, Pencoyd Iron Works had attained an international reputation, and the company was acquired by J.P. Morgan's U.S. Steel Corporation in 1902. However, the business was liquidated in 1944 after years of decline that began with the Great Depression.