Pittsburgh | The Faded Glory of the Steel City – Carrie Blast Furnaces

Steel was once the heart of Pittsburgh 🏭. Located in the southeast of the city, the Carrie Blast Furnaces were built in 1881 and were once one of the largest steel plants in the world. They brought immense wealth to the "Steel King" Andrew Carnegie and witnessed a century of industrial transformation in Pittsburgh. Shortly after production began, a worker’s strike broke out. A fierce conflict erupted between 6,500 workers and 300 security personnel, resulting in dozens of casualties. It was only resolved after military intervention. This strike became a significant event in American labor history. Unfortunately, the bloodshed did not lead to better conditions for workers—it wasn’t until 1936 that a union was finally established. Our elderly guide vividly described working conditions in the late 19th century: workers earned meager wages ($1.70–$7.60 per day), had no paid leave or social benefits, and worked 887 hours a year 📅. Many lived in shacks under the railroad tracks. The toughest job was near the molten steel outlet, where workers wore heavy leather protective gear and labored in 38°C (100°F+) heat. In such extreme conditions, a worker would need to drink 4 liters of water per shift 💦. In 1901, J.P. Morgan acquired Carnegie Steel and formed the monopoly U.S. Steel. Pittsburgh’s steel mills were sold as part of the deal. Production peaked during World War II, but after the war, newer European mills with advanced technology and growing environmental concerns led to declining profits. The furnaces finally shut down in 1986. Today, Furnaces No. 6 and 7 are preserved as historic landmarks 🏛️. The tour lasts about two hours. Guides lead small groups of 20 inside, explaining the steelmaking process, workers' lives, and Andrew Carnegie’s rise to wealth. You’ll also learn how Pittsburgh’s industrial growth and immigrant waves reflected America’s own story of industrialization. You can book tickets online by searching "Carrie Blast Furnaces Tour" 🎫. Note: Tours may be closed in winter due to weather. I missed it in March but finally made it this summer! Address: 801 Carrie Furnace Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15218 #Pittsburgh #PittsburghTravel #ThingsToDoInPittsburgh #OffTheBeatenPath #IndustrialHistory #SteelCity #USSteel #HiddenGems