The Allegheny Arsenal, next to 40th Street in Lawrenceville, is most famous for blowing up during the Civil War, killing a large number of women and children who worked there. In those days, it was considered wise and prudent to employ young children in the manufacture of dangerous explosives. In our more enlightened time, we are careful to employ only well-trained adults in our munitions works, so that our bombs will kill only the children we aim them at.
The Arsenal, or what’s left of it, is also notable for being the last remaining work of Benjamin Henry Latrobe in Pittsburgh. Latrobe is more famous as the architect of the United States Capitol in Washington.
0 responses to “Allegheny Arsenal”
Glad I stumbled across your site messing around on the internet. Staying in Pittsburgh for school. I’ll have to check out this Historic site.
“In those days, it was considered wise and prudent to employ young children in the manufacture of dangerous explosives. In our more enlightened time, we are careful to employ only well-trained adults in our munitions works, so that our bombs will kill only the children we aim them at.”
— Had one of those simultaneous laugh and groan moments.
I found your statement that somehow our servicemen are out to purposely kill woman and children is typical of those 99% who haven’t the guts to fight for their country.
I,m also sure that the thinking at the time was that it was very safe to handle black powder. I have handled large quantities of it for years and can attest to the fact that it is very safe when handled properly.