Munhall in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Armor for America
The 12,000-Ton Press
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, September 27, 2024
1. Armor for America Marker
This 12,000 ton hydraulic forging press is the only surviving turn of the century heavy steel forging press in America. Installed in 1903, it doubled the Homestead Works' armor plate capacity and enabled the mill to become one of the United States Navy's largest suppliers of steel for the next fifty years.
Many World War II battleships were outfitted with armor plate from this press, including the USS Missouri-the ship on which the Japanese signed the articles of surrender that ended the War.
The 12,000-ton press could squeeze billets of steel weighing up to 780,000 pounds into 18" thick plate. The enormous force it exerted created deep, thundering reverberations that could be felt throughout Homestead.
Erected by Rivers of Steel.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1903.
Location. 40° 24.782′ N, 79° 54.002′ W. Marker is in Munhall, Pennsylvania, in Allegheny County. It can be reached from East Waterfront Drive 0.1 miles south of East Waterfront Drive. Basically hidden behind Lowe's, hard
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Pittsburgh. It is also 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: Homestead Labyrinth (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Homestead Strike (about 800 feet away); Labor Struggle (about 800 feet away); Blast Furnace Bells and Hopper (approx. 0.2 miles away); Yellow Dog (approx. 0.2 miles away); July 6, 1892 (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Battle of Homestead (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pump House (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, September 27, 2024
2. Armor for America Marker
Lower Left Photo and Text:
Soon after purchasing the Homestead Works in 1883, Andrew Carnegie focused on expanding its structural steel facilities. This enabled the Homestead Works to play a key role in shaping America's urban skylines by producing structural steel for skyscrapers. Many landmarks, including the Empire State Building, the Sears Tower, the St. Louis Gateway Arch, and the U.S. Steel Building, were made from structural steel rolled at Homestead.
Soon after purchasing the Homestead Works in 1883, Andrew Carnegie focused on expanding its structural steel facilities. This enabled the Homestead Works to play a key role in shaping America's urban skylines by producing structural steel for skyscrapers. Many landmarks, including the Empire State Building, the Sears Tower, the St. Louis Gateway Arch, and the U.S. Steel Building, were made from structural steel rolled at Homestead.
Also see . . . Rivers of Steel. (Submitted on September 28, 2024, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, September 27, 2024
3. Armor for America Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 28, 2024, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 946 times since then and 122 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 28, 2024, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
