Downtown in Pittsburgh in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Empty Pocket Pays
Great Railroad Strike of 1877
Venting their anger at the exploitation of workers and the deterioration of public life caused by the PRR, rioters burned railroad buildings and looted freight cars. The destruction included 125 locomotives, 3,500 rail cars, two roundhouses, the Union Depot and a Grain Elevator. The corporation’s president, Thomas Scott claimed no responsibility for the damage the PRR wreaked in the lives of his employees, nor the community. Yet, Scott insisted that the county be held responsible for damage the public dealt on private property. Allegheny County absorbed $4 million in property damages, while the Pennsylvania Railroad Company did not a spend penny.
Erected 2007 by the Howling Mob Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Labor Unions • Notable Events • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1877.
Location. 40° 26.641′ N, 79° 59.63′ W. Marker is in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in Allegheny County. It is in Downtown. Marker is at the intersection of Liberty Avenue and Grant Street on Liberty Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pittsburgh PA 15222, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Pennsylvania Canal (within shouting distance of this marker); Gulf Building (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Refining Crude Oil (about 800 feet away); "The Bell Speaks" (approx. 0.2 miles away); Kier Refinery (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lewis and Clark Expedition (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fort Lafayette (approx. ¼ mile away); Founding Convention of the AFL (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pittsburgh.
More about this marker. Marker is mounted on a municipal street light pole.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Other Great Railroad Strike of 1877 Markers erected by the Howling Mob Society in 2007.
Also see . . . The Howling Mob Society Website. (Submitted on January 4, 2010.)
Additional commentary.
1. Interesting backstory of the Howling Mob Society and its markers.
“The Howling Mob Society (HMS) is a collaboration of artists, activists and historians committed to unearthing stories neglected by mainstream history. HMS brings increased visibility to the radical history of Pittsburgh, PA through grassroots artistic practice. We chose to focus on The Great Railroad Strike of 1877, a national uprising that saw some of its most dramatic moments in Pittsburgh.” From their website.
— Submitted August 2, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
Additional keywords. Social Justice Struggles
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 1, 2010. This page has been viewed 1,225 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 5, 2010. 2. submitted on January 1, 2010. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.