Cambria Iron Company

Cambria Iron Company
Company type	Independent company (1852–1916)
Industry	Iron and steel manufacturing
Founded	1852 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, United States
Founder	Matthew Newkirk (acquired in 1854 by group led by him)
Defunct	1916
Fate	Purchased by Midvale Steel and Ordnance Company
Successor	Midvale Steel and Ordnance Company (1916), Bethlehem Steel Company (1923)
Headquarters	Johnstown, United States
Area served	United States
Key people	Daniel Johnson Morrell (general manager), Cyrus Elder (chief legal counsel)
Products	Iron and steel products, including bridges and structural components

Cambria Iron Company

Based in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, the Cambria Iron Company was a prominent independent iron and steel manufacturer from 1852 until 1916. The firm was at the forefront of steel production advancements, implementing innovative techniques introduced by William Kelly and Henry Bessemer to improve manufacturing efficiency.

Established in 1852, Cambria rapidly rose to become the largest steel foundry in the United States within twenty years. It reorganized as the Cambria Steel Company in 1898, was purchased by Midvale Steel and Ordnance Company in 1916, and later acquired by the Bethlehem Steel Company in 1923.

Spanning roughly along the Conemaugh and Little Conemaugh rivers, its expansive industrial complex remained operational until 1992. Today, these properties are designated as a National Historic Landmark District, with multiple sites included on the National Register of Historic Places.

Facilities

Cambria's manufacturing operations encompassed five locations surrounding Johnstown, Pennsylvania. The earliest facility, known as the Lower Works, was situated on the eastern bank of the Conemaugh River just north of Johnstown’s downtown area. The Gautier Plant lay northeast along the south side of the Little Conemaugh River. Further upstream were the Franklin Plant and Wheel Plant, while the Rod and Wire Plant was positioned west of the Conemaugh River, northward from the Lower Works.

Each site reflected distinct stages in the evolution of steel production. Although most original buildings at Lower Works no longer exist, all five locations collectively comprise the National Historic Landmark District established in 1989.

Company history

Originally founded in 1852 to provide iron for railroad construction projects, Cambria Iron was acquired in 1854 by a group of Philadelphia businessmen led by Matthew Newkirk. Following a destructive fire in 1857, Newkirk spearheaded a comprehensive reconstruction that significantly boosted production capacity.

By the 1870s, under general manager Daniel Johnson Morrell, Cambria had emerged as an industry leader and innovator. The company introduced several groundbreaking technologies such as the Kelly converter, the first-ever blooming mill, hydraulic methods for ingot handling, and extensive adoption of the Bessemer process. These innovations helped establish industry benchmarks and secured Cambria’s market position.

Morrell also served as a U.S. Congressman from 1867 to 1871 and was instrumental in diminishing American dependence on British railroad imports. Concerned about the safety risks posed by the nearby South Fork Dam—which endangered company assets—Morrell became part of its owners’ association and advocated for necessary repairs but was ultimately disregarded prior to his death in 1885.

The catastrophic failure of that dam on May 31, 1889, resulted in the devastating Johnstown Flood, which claimed over 2,200 lives and caused severe damage to Cambria’s facilities. Although operations resumed within a week at limited capacity, Cambria suffered a loss of market share during reconstruction.

Following Morrell’s passing, Cyrus Elder—a former newspaper editor turned chief legal counsel—assumed his place on the dam owners’ club. A native of Johnstown who lost relatives in the flood, Elder became a notable civic figure and author.

In 1916, Midvale Steel and Ordnance Company took ownership of Cambria Iron, which was subsequently acquired by Bethlehem Steel in 1923. The company continued functioning until its closure in 1992.

Additionally, Cambria broadened its operations into maritime transport through two subsidiaries: Franklin Steamship Company established in 1906 and Beaver Steamship Company founded in 1916. Both entities were sold to Bethlehem Steamship Company in 1924.

Works created

Several prominent bridges and structures incorporating elements produced by the Cambria Company are recognized on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), including:

Bell Bridge, spanning the Niobrara River on a county road northeast of Valentine, Nebraska (manufactured by Cambria Steel Co.), listed on the NRHP
Boone River Bridge, crossing Boone River along Buchanan Avenue in Goldfield, Iowa (Cambria Steel Company product), NRHP-listed
Borman Bridge, located on a county road over Niobrara River southeast of Valentine, Nebraska (Cambria Steel Co.), included in the NRHP
Eldorado Bridge, carrying State Street over Turkey River in Eldorado, Iowa (produced by Cambria Steel Co.), NRHP-recognized
Johnstown Inclined Railway, situated at Johns Street and Edgehill Drive in Johnstown, Pennsylvania (Cambria Iron Co.), listed on the NRHP
Neligh Mill Bridge, on Elm Street crossing Elkhorn River in Neligh, Nebraska (manufactured by Cambria/Lackawanna Steel Cos.), NRHP-listed
North Loup Bridge, spanning North Loup River via a county road northeast of North Loup, Nebraska (Cambria & Lackawanna Steel Cos. product), included in the NRHP
Republican River Bridge, on a county road over Republican River east and south of Riverton, Nebraska (produced by Cambria Steel Co.), NRHP-listed
Willow Creek Bridge, located on a county road crossing Willow Creek south of Foster, Nebraska (Cambria Steel Co.), featured on the NRHP

External links