McKees Rocks Bottoms in Stowe Township in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

1909 McKee's Rocks Strike

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, April 2, 2015

1. 1909 McKee's Rocks Strike Marker

Inscription. On July 14, unskilled immigrant workers led a strike against the Pressed Steel Car Company. Strain among the strikers, replacement laborers, and state police erupted into a riot on August 22. Eleven men were killed near this footbridge. Strikers were aided by the Industrial Workers of the World.

Erected 2000 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Labor Unions. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1913.

Location. 40° 28.547′ N, 80° 3.618′ W. Marker is in Stowe Township, Pennsylvania, in Allegheny County. It is in McKees Rocks Bottoms. It is at the intersection of George Street and Nichol Avenue, on the right when traveling west on George Street. Marker was previously located on the west side of the McKees Rocks Bridge. It has been moved to the intersection of George & Graham Streets and Nichol Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mc Kees Rocks PA 15136, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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: St. Mary's Ukrainian Orthodox Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Presston

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(approx. half a mile away); McKees Rocks Mound (approx. half a mile away); Michael A. Musmanno (approx. 0.7 miles away); Twenty-Four Residents (approx. 0.7 miles away); The McKee Mansion (approx. ¾ mile away); Saint Mary's World War II Honor Roll (approx. 0.9 miles away); Saint Mary's Parish World War II Memorial (approx. 0.9 miles away).

Also see . . . 1909 McKee's Rocks Strike - Behind the Marker. (Submitted on July 7, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, April 2, 2015

2. 1909 McKee's Rocks Strike Marker

In its new location.

The Pressed Steel Car Company strikers meeting at McKees Rocks, PA. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Unknown, August 5, 1909

3. The Pressed Steel Car Company strikers meeting at McKees Rocks, PA.

Courtesy: Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania

Workers' bread line during the Summer 1909 strike at the Pressed Steel Car Co. in McKees Rocks, PA. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Pittsburgh Leader, August 1909

4. Workers' bread line during the Summer 1909 strike at the Pressed Steel Car Co. in McKees Rocks, PA.

Courtesy: Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania

Wall surrounding the Pressed Steel Car plant image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Unknown

5. Wall surrounding the Pressed Steel Car plant

To protect the plant from striking workers, and to protect the "scab" laborers who took their jobs, Pressed Steel in 1909 constructed a stockade that surrounded the plant, which it manned with armed guards.
Credit: Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania

Steel strikers at the "Bloody Corner of McKees Rocks" image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bain News Service, August 25, 1909

6. Steel strikers at the "Bloody Corner of McKees Rocks"

Footbridge described in the marker is shown in photo
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division

Credits. This page was last revised on September 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 14, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 3,493 times since then and 85 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 2, 2015, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 3, 4. submitted on April 29, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 5. submitted on July 26, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 6. submitted on November 29, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.