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

Jones & Laughlin Steel Company

1853-1984

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 30, 2021

1. Jones & Laughlin Steel Company Marker

Inscription. For over 140 years, the Jones & Laughlin Company (J&L) defined Pittsburgh. Its huge blast furnaces, open-hearth facilities, and neon J&L sign were landmarks for many Pittsburghers. The plant was located on this stretch of land and on a tract directly across the river. J&L expanded from a small iron puddling furnace in 1853 into a fully integrated mill by the twentieth century. Over the years, J&L produced iron and steel products that changed as a reflection of the needs of the times: nails, rails, automobile and machine parts, alloy plate for aircraft and tank armor, and artillery shells.

In 1968, J&L was purchased by the LTV Corporation. The mill continued to be a large presence in the region until its demise in 1984. The coke plant, however, continued to operate under the LTV banner until 1998.

Erected by Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce.

Location. 40° 25.79′ N, 79° 57.955′ W. Marker has been damaged. Marker is in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in Allegheny County. It is in the South Side Flats. It is on Three Rivers Heritage Trail 0.3 miles west of Hot Metal Bridge, on the right when traveling west. Not accessible

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by motorized vehicle. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pittsburgh PA 15203, 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 location: Hub of Activity (a few steps from this marker); Shaping Steel (within shouting distance of this marker); Making Steel The J&L Way (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Cast Iron Columns (about 500 feet away); Rivers of Steel (about 600 feet away); Open Hearth Steel (about 700 feet away); The MonCon Railroad (approx. 0.2 miles away); Materials Handling (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pittsburgh.

Three Rivers Heritage Trail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 30, 2021

2. Three Rivers Heritage Trail

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 2, 2021, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,223 times since then and 112 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 2, 2021, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.