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

Pat the Avenger Returns Fire

Great Railroad Strike of 1877

circa 2007

1. Pat the Avenger Returns Fire Marker

Inscription. In The Great Strike of 1877, a labor dispute between workers and the Pennsylvania Railroad Company set off a popular uprising. The Philadelphia militia shot into an unarmed crowd on July 21st and then took shelter in the roundhouse at 26th Street. On the morning of July 22nd they marched eastward, retreating from the city. By then, thousands of citizens had raided arms and ammunition shops — preparing themselves to avenge the dead and defend their community. The people of Pittsburgh fired tenaciously upon the militiamen from street corners, alleyways, windows, and housetops as they fled up Penn Avenue.

Local legend gives a name to one of many individuals who doggedly pursued the retreating troops. "Pat the Avenger" is described as a calm and collected gunman emerging from doorways and alleyways, methodically taking aim and firing with great accuracy. It is believed that Pat killed several retreating militiamen, however stories vary and no one has been able to confirm the man’s identity.

Erected 2007 by The Howling Mob Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Labor Unions • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1865.

Location. 40° 27.765′ N, 79° 58.017′ W. Marker is in

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Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in Allegheny County. It is in Lower Lawrenceville. Marker is at the intersection of Penn Avenue and Butler Street, on the right when traveling east on Penn Avenue. Marker found on Penn Avenue where Butler merges. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pittsburgh PA 15224, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Pittsburgh Brewing Company (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Pittsburgh Grease Plant (about 600 feet away); St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Birthplace of the Aluminum Industry (approx. 0.2 miles away); Stephen C. Foster (approx. 0.2 miles away); Charles Martin Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away); Safe Haven Denied at Allegheny Arsenal (approx. 0.4 miles away); Soldiers and Sailors of the War of 1812 (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pittsburgh.

More about this marker. Mounted on municipal electrical 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

the Howling Mob Society, used with permission, circa 2007

2. Pat the Avenger Returns Fire Marker

backstory of the Howling Mob Society and its 10 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 1,535 times since then and 43 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.