Fort Pitt Foundry
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Foundry |
| Founded | 1804 |
| Headquarters | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
Key people | Joseph and Alex McClurg |
| Products | Cannons and cannonballs for the U.S. military |
The Fort Pitt Foundry operated as an iron foundry during the 1800s in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1804 by Joseph McClurg along with his son Alex McClurg, its initial site was at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Smithfield Street before it moved to the Strip District at the intersection of 12th and Etna streets. This foundry was among the first to supply artillery materials to the U.S. military, notably producing cannonballs used by Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry's squadron in the War of 1812. It gained distinction for casting large-scale cannon, including the prominent 20 inch bore Rodman Gun, which played a crucial role in coastal defense.
Operations at the foundry ended after the Civil War, with its assets acquired by a rival company in 1878.
References
- Buildings and structures in Pittsburgh
- Industrial buildings and structures in Pennsylvania
- Manufacturing companies based in Pittsburgh
- Manufacturing companies established in 1804
- Ironworks and steel mills in Pennsylvania
- American companies disestablished in 1878
- Foundries in the United States
- American companies established in 1804
- 1804 establishments in Pennsylvania
- Manufacturing companies disestablished in 1878
- Cannon foundries