John A. Brashear House and Factory facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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John A. Brashear House and Factory
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 Location in Pittsburgh
Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1954 Perrysville Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
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| Built | 1886 |
| NRHP reference No. | 12001093 |
| Added to NRHP | December 26, 2012 |
The John A. Brashear House and Factory was built in 1886. It is located in the Perry South area of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This was the home of a famous astronomer named John Brashear (1840–1920). A former governor once called him "Pennsylvania's most eminent citizen." This special place was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 6, 2012.
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A Look at the Past
This site had two main parts: a house and a factory. The house was built in 1886 in a style called Second Empire. The factory was a large brick building, also built in 1886. Around 1900, a small brick wash house was added. This was where Brashear lived for a big part of his life.
What the Factory Made
John Brashear's company made amazing tools. They created optical instruments for science and industry. These are tools that use light, like telescopes and microscopes. Even after Brashear passed away in 1920, the factory kept working. At one point, they even made parts for the Norden bombsight. This was a special device used during World War II. The company moved out of the factory around 1954.
The Factory's Demolition
Sadly, the factory building was taken down on March 17, 2015. One of its walls had fallen onto a nearby apartment building. The city of Pittsburgh had owned the factory since 2012. But they could not find enough money to fix its problems. The factory was old and needed many repairs.
A Time Capsule Discovery!
During the demolition, workers found something amazing. They discovered a 120-year-old time capsule! It was hidden in the building's old cornerstone. The box was made of brass and was about the size of a dictionary.
Later, someone from the Antique Telescope Society opened the box. Inside, they found many cool things. There were plans and blueprints of Brashear's factory. They also found a photo of the workers from August 1894. An optical glass, which is a special type of glass for lenses, was also inside. There were letters from and to Brashear, and old newspaper articles. Photos of important people from Pittsburgh and Brashear's family were there too. They even found a lock of hair from Brashear's wife, Phoebe! Finally, there was a book called "In Memoriam William Thaw." This book honored Brashear's mentor, William Thaw. He was the person who helped Brashear with money to build his home and factory.
Why This Place is Historic
The John A. Brashear House and Factory was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of places in the United States that are important to our history. Being on this list helps protect these places. Experts reviewed the information about Brashear's home and factory. They decided it was a very important historical site. It was officially listed on the National Register in 2011.
