Image: AlleghenyArsenal
Description: Picture of the historical marker near the site of the former Allegheny Arsenal located on 40th Street near Arsenal Pl. in the Central Lawrenceville neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on March 21, 2010. The historical marker says, "Allegheny Arsenal - Designed by Benjamin H. Latrobe and constructed in 1814. The Arsenal was used as a military garrison in the manufacture and storing of supplies during the Civil War, Indian Wars, and Spanish-American War. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission." The marker does not mention the tragic munitions explosion that took place at the Arsenal during the Civil War. Here's what a newspaper from that time said, "It was during the second year of the Civil War and during the second engagement of the battle of Antietam that Sept. 17, 1862, the War Department sent a hurry order to the superintendent of the Arsenal for a supply of ammunition. Col. Simonton, who was commandant at the arsenal, had just completed a new ballast driveway leading from the Butler St. entrance to the magazine house. A team hauling a wagonload of powder was the first vehicle to use the road. As it rumbled over the new road it is thought that fire struck by the horses' shoes ignited some scrappings of powder that littered the driveway. Then followed one of the worst catastrophes in the history of the city. The driver of the wagon and a small boy who accompanied him were blown to atoms. The magazine house in which were employed 83 persons, mostly girls, was demolished and some of the bodies were never found. The force of the explosion wrecked houses, tore down ceilings and shattered windows in dwellings for miles around. The detonation was heard from the forks of the road to the Sharpsburg bridge and many persons thought they were in the midst of an earthquake. For more than a week the entire city was plunged in mourning."
Title: AlleghenyArsenal
Credit: Own work (Original text: self-made)
Author: Lee Paxton
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: Public domain
Attribution Required?: No
Image usage
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