The Story Told By The Mural

The Story Told By The Mural. . Panel A , This panel shows the famous Griffen Cannon, invented in 1854 by John Griffen, the superintendent of the Phoenix Iron Company. Its unique wrought iron construction was patented, and approximately 1,400 were made for the Union Army during the Civil War. More than 125 of these fieldpieces can still be seen on the Gettysburg battlefield stamped with “P.I. Co.” on the end of their muzzles., Panel B , As an outgrowth of the production of fire bricks for the iron company furnaces, Etruscan Majolica was made in Phoenixville by Griffen, Smith, and Hill Co. The earthenware, made of local kaolin clay, was molded with relief designs from nature and painted. The flag in the panel displays the seal stamped on the bottom of much of the majolica. Phoenixville Majolica is easily authenticated by its seal, and it is a much sought-after collectible., Panel C , Depicted on this flag is an 1829 map of the area that would become the borough of Phoenixville in 1849. The map identifies early settlements and landmarks, as well as the junction of the French Creek coming into Schuylkill River a prime site for many early industries., Panel D , The lower left panel shows a group of people who symbolize the multi-cultural diversity of Phoenixville’s population. The iron, steel, and textile industries attracted many groups of immigrants who came to work, and made Phoenixville their home., Panel E , The large center panel symbolizes a huge ladle pouring tons of molten steel at one of Phoenix Steel’s six open hearth furnaces. They produced high quality carbon steel for buildings and bridges around the world; operating twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week., Panel F , The building in this panel is an early home of Phoenixville Hospital, located on Nutt Road. In 1893, the hospital was founded in a small house near the mills to address the needs of injured workers at the iron and steel company. Now, a full-service community hospital, it serves the needs of the Northern Chester County region., Panel G , The flag in this panel illustrates a mid-19th century advertisement for the “PHOENIX COLUMN”. This structural support was invented by Samuel Reeves, president of the Phoenix Iron Company, who pioneered a more economical method of using iron through the use of a hollow segmented wrought iron post. It was used for bridges and railway viaducts around the world., Panel H , The upper right panel shows this region’s Native Americans, the Lenni Lenapes, who were the earliest inhabitants of the Phoenixville area. The high sandstone bluffs along the north side of French Creek, and the natural ford where the French Creek meets the Schuylkill River provided access as well as an abundance of natural resources. Hundreds of arrowheads found along the river in this area attest to their presence here., Renaissance Park is maintained by the Kiwanis Club of Phoenixville and George Hinkle.