South Shore in Pittsburgh in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Clinton Furnace

Photographed by Roger Dean Meyer, November 16, 2006

1. Clinton Furnace Marker

Inscription. Pittsburgh’s first successful blast furnace for making pig iron. Operations began near here, 1859, using Connellsville coke as fuel. The furnace’s technology initiated a new era, leading to more advanced furnaces capable of producing huge amounts of iron and resulting in the modern blast furnace. Clinton Furnace played an important role in establishing Pittsburgh’s dominance in iron and steel making. Operations ended in 1927.

Erected 2003 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Appalachian Iron Furnaces, and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1859.

Location. 40° 26.055′ N, 80° 0.277′ W. Marker is in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in Allegheny County. It is in South Shore. It can be reached from West Station Square just east of Commerce Drive, on the right when traveling west. The marker is located along the Riverwalk at Bessemer Court at Station Square. Nearest address is 230 West Station Square. Located

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behind the Hard Rock Cafe. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pittsburgh PA 15219, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in the Ohio River Valley,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Bessemer Converter (here, next to this marker); Commerce Court (within shouting distance of this marker); P & LE Terminal (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Chuck Muer (about 500 feet away); Rev. John McMillan (about 500 feet away); John A. Roebling (about 500 feet away); Modern Naturalized Garden (about 600 feet away); Railings from the Brady Street Bridge (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pittsburgh.

Also see . . . Behind the Marker - Clinton Furnace.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, May 7, 2011

2. Clinton Furnace Marker

City of Pittsburgh in the background

Explore PA History website entry (Submitted on January 9, 2009, by Roger Dean Meyer of Yankton, South Dakota.)

The Bessemer Converter Bucket image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Roger Dean Meyer, November 16, 2006

3. The Bessemer Converter Bucket

Equipment from the Bessemer Converter image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Roger Dean Meyer, November 16, 2006

4. Equipment from the Bessemer Converter

Steelmaking equipment from the Bessemer Converter image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Roger Dean Meyer, November 16, 2006

5. Steelmaking equipment from the Bessemer Converter

Credits. This page was last revised on June 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 9, 2009, by Roger Dean Meyer of Yankton, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 3,285 times since then and 92 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 9, 2009, by Roger Dean Meyer of Yankton, South Dakota. 2. submitted on December 28, 2014, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 9, 2009, by Roger Dean Meyer of Yankton, South Dakota.