Lower Lawrenceville in Pittsburgh in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Allegheny Arsenal

Lawrenceville

— 1814 - 1913 —

Allegheny Arsenal Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 27, 2023

1. Allegheny Arsenal Marker

Inscription.
Designed by Benjamin H. Latrobe. Built by Captain Abram R. Woolley on land purchased by the federal government from William B. Foster. Served as ammunition production center during Indian, Mexican and Civil Wars.

This tablet commemorates at least 79 civilian workers-men, women and many children-killed in three mysterious explosions, September 17, 1862.

Erected by the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Arsenal Post No. [?], through a gift from the Pittsburgh Foundation

Erected by Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania and the Pittsburgh Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is September 17, 1862.

Location. 40° 28.01′ N, 79° 57.625′ W. Marker is in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in Allegheny County. It is in Lower Lawrenceville. It can be reached from 40th Street. Marker is mounted on the Arsenal Park comfort station (former Arsenal Powder Magazine). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 276 39th Street, Pittsburgh PA 15201,

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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: Soldiers and Sailors of the War of 1812 (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Allegheny Arsenal (within shouting distance of this marker); Lawrenceville Branch (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Safe Haven Denied at Allegheny Arsenal (about 700 feet away); Johnny Unitas (approx. 0.2 miles away); Saint Padre Pio (approx. 0.2 miles away); St. Augustine Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); December 30, 1753 (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pittsburgh.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 27, 2023

2. Allegheny Arsenal Marker

At far left of photo

are related to this marker.

Also see . . .
1. About the Arsenal Park. Secret Pittsburgh website entry (Submitted on November 6, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. The Tragedy at Allegheny Arsenal - "A Horrid Moment of a Most Wicked Rebellion" (ABT). American Battlefield Trust website entry (Submitted on May 31, 2023, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

Allegheny Arsenal Original Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 27, 2023

3. Allegheny Arsenal Original Marker

From the park website: "This tablet was placed on its walls when the Arsenal was erected on this site in 1814. The initials reference Abram R. Woolley, the first commandant, with the seventeen stars encircling the border representing the number of states in the Union at the time."

Credits. This page was last revised on August 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 31, 2023, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 502 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 31, 2023, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.