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Middle Atlantic States | Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh |
Pittsburgh in was incorporated as a borough in 1794 and as a city in 1816. The official spelling was changed to Pittsburg in 1891, but officially changed back in 1911.
George Evans, son of steam engine pioneer Oliver Evans, proposed to build water works for the city of Pittsburgh in 1813. Nothing came of this, apparently because the city did not want to enter into a contract for water works. George was the first superintendent of the city's water works from 1827 until his death in 1830.
In January 1818, William Barclay Foster (father of composer Stephen Collins Foster) and William Hamilton petitioned for permission to supply water, but nothing is known to have come of their request, Foster was the father of composer Stephen C. Foster.
The City of Pittsburgh borrowed money to build a water system, which began service in August, 1828 but was not fully operational until the following year. The first plant was on Cecil Alley next to the Allegheny River, and remained in service until a replacement plant was built in 1844.
The Water Works Company of the Northern Liberties of Pittsburgh was incorporated in 1836 with Alexander Ingram, James Blackely, W. H. Tottany, John H. Shoenberger, Mark Lowrey, John H. Ralston, William Bayne, D. P. Ingersoll, Wilkins McNair, Robert Glass Esq., William Sutch, E. H. Hastings, and Ethrington Appleton appointed as commissioners of the company for the "purpose of enabling it to contract with the corporation of the borough of the Northern Liberties of Pittsburg, for the purpose of supplying the said borough with good and wholesome water from the Allegheny river." This company is not known to have built anything, as the Borough of Northern Liberties was annexed by the City of Pittsburgh in 1837 and the 1844 water works pumping plant was built in the annexed territory.
The second city plant opened on July 4, 1844 on Etna Street between O'Hare and Walnut, on the Allegheny River, with with steam engines, named Hercules and Samson, that could pump a total of 9 million gallons daily.. This plant operated until 1879.
The Monongahela Water Company was incorporated in 1855 with James Salisbury, David Chess, James M. McElroy, Christian Ihensen, Thomas McKee, Alexander McLain, John D. Miller, Daniel Berg, Henry J. Metz, John Evans, and R. A. Bausman appointed as commissioners with "power to raise and introduce into the boroughs of Birmingham, East Birmingham and South Pittsburg, in the county ot Allegheny, a sufficient supply of Monongahela river water for the use of the inhabitants of said boroughs." This company built a plant at the foot of 29th Street in the Borough of Ormsby on the south side of the Monongahela river that began service around 1866. This plant had three pumps with a total capacity of ten million gallons a day in 1874. Most of the areas served by this company were annexed in 1872, but the company had the right to distribute water until 1906 and could only be acquired with its consent. The city authorities wrestled with this question for many years, and finally bought the company 1909 after its charter had expired..
A small pumping plant was built in 1870 at 45th street, and was taken out of service when the 1879 water works opened.
A new city pumping plant opened in 1879 at the Brilliant Station. This plant was remodeled in 1894 and took water directly from the river until a filtration plant was built across the river in 1908 that supplied filtered water to the city.
The city acquired the Allegheny City water works when that city was annexed in 1907.
In 1930 the Pennsylvania Water Company and South Pittsburgh Water Company were supplying small areas of the city.
Water is provided by the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, which was created in 1984 and absorbed the City's water department in 1995. The authority has a good history page.
References
1813 Pittsburgh
Weekly Gazette, November 26, 1813, Page 3.
Communication. Having been urged by many of our citizens to make
proposals for watering Pittsburgh by the power of Steam, the subscriber
takes this method of informing that he is now ready to furnish the
requisite power. He will, at his own expence, raise water
sufficiently high to run to any part of the town, at three cents per
barrel. A more particular statement is not considered necessary
until some person or persons are appointed to confer with him. George
Evans. November 22, 1813.
1824 An Ordinance providing for the raising of a sum of money, on loan, for supplying the city of Pittsburgh with water. February 16, 1824.
1824 Reservoir on Grant's Hill, $3,800, Engine House Site at the foot of Cecil Alley on the Allegheny River $1,425.
1826 An Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to borrow twenty thousand dollars, in order to raise a sum of money, which shall be appropriated towards defraying the expense of supplying the city with water. February 6, 1826.
1827 An Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to borrow a further sum of twenty thousand dollars. October 29, 1827.
1828 An Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to borrow the sum of fifteen thousand dollars for supplying the city with water. June 30, 1828.
1829 "Leaden
Pipe," The Pittsburgh Gazette, September 29, 1829, Page 1.
I have commenced the manufacture of Leaden Pipe, and will furnish, and lay
the same, at the most reasonable rate. John Sheriff
1830 The
Pittsburgh Gazette, January 22, 1830, Page 4.
Supplement to an Ordinance, entitled "An ordinance for regulating the
distribution of water, and for the protection of the water works of the
city of Pittsburgh.
1830 The
Pittsburgh Gazette, February 26, 1830, Page 3.
An ordinance providing for the appointment of a Superintendent and
Engineer of the Water Works.
1830 "City
Water Works," The Pittsburgh Gazette, March 9, 1830, Page 3.
Four to five thousand feet of four inch pipe, in lengths of nine feet and
seven feet.
1830 The Register of Pennsylvania,
7(18):281 (April 30, 1831)
Pittsburg. December 24, 1830. The City Water Works, erected in
1828,—a noble and valuable monument of liberality and enterprize. The
water is elevated 116 feet, from the Allegheny river, by a pipe of 15
inches in diameter, and 2,439 in length, to a basin or reservoir, on
Grant's Hill, 11 feet deep, and calculated to contain 1,000,000 of
gallons. The water is raised by a steam engine of 84 horse power, which
will elevate 1,500,000 gallons in 24 hours.
1830 The Pittsburgh Gazette, October
8, 1830, Page 3.
Obituary of Oliver Evans [1784-1830] Sixteen years since he foresaw the
advantages to be derived by our city from a regular supply of water.---He
then attempted, in connexion with one of our most enterprizing citizens
now living, to establish a water works on their own responsibility.
The project failed, if the writer of this is correct, by objections raised
on the part of our corporation to granting certain privileges
required. Recently, our city authorities have had a water works
erected under his superintendence, which exists as another evidence of his
abilities as a mechanic.--These works are perhaps equal to any in the
United States, and had he finished them in accordance with his intentions,
Pittsburgh could now boast of the most perfect works for the supply of
water in the world.
1832 The Pittsburgh
Gazette, June 5, 1832, Page 3.
Proposals will be received at the office of the City Water Works, until
the eighth inst., for building the Brick and Carpenter Work of Engine
House, and for building Engine and Pump for the City Water Works.
Robert Moore. June 5, 1832.
1835 Map
of Pittsburgh and its environs. Shows 1828 water works
engine house on Cecil Alley on the Allegheny River.
1836 "Assessment
of Water Rents," The Pittsburgh Gazette, January 5, 1836,
Page 2.
1,826 dwelling houses paid $9,372 in water rent, for an average of $5.12
per house.
1836 An act to enable the Governor to incorporate "The Water Works Company of the Northern Liberties of Pittsburgh," March 29, 1836.
1837 The Western Address Directory: Containing
the Cards of Merchants, Manufacturers and Other Business Men, in
Pittsburgh, (Pa.) Wheeling, (Va.) Zanesville, (O.) Portsmouth, (O.)
Dayton, (O.) Cincinnati, (O.) Madison, (Ind.) Louisville, (K.) St.
Louis, (Mo.) Together with Historical, Topographical & Statistical
Sketches, (for the Year 1837,) of Those Cities, and Towns in the
Mississippi Valley. Intended as a Guide to Travellers. To which is
Added, Alphabetically Arranged, a List of the Steam-boats on the
Western Waters, by William Gilman Lyford
Page 75-76: Pittsburgh - The Water Works are seated on the bank of the
Allegheny river, and were erected by the city in 1828.— The water is
forced by steam machinery through the main shaft, 2,439 feet in length,
and 15 inches diameter, to the top of Grant's hill, which is 116 feet
above the Allegheny river, where it is discharged into a basin, the
capacity of which is 1,000,000 of gallons, at the rate of 1,344 gallons a
minute, the wheel making, ordinarily, within that period, 14 revolutions,
and sometimes 15.— About 90 bushels of coal are used per day. The basin is
eleven feet in depth, and contains a partition wall for the purpose of
filtration. From this reservoir the city is at present plentifully
supplied with water; and above half of the various mills, factories,
&c., within the city proper, use it, paying an annual tax for the
consideration, the total amount of which, for the last year, was $13,000.
The tax to some families is $3, and is graduated according to the
demand—some of the manufacturing establishments paying as high as $120.
Fire plugs are conveniently located, that recourse may be had to them when
needed. As the city increases in extent and population, and a greater
supply of water becomes requisite, the basin will probably be changed to a
point farther east, which the corporation has already secured, on a more
elevated site, made larger, and of course will have a greater head.
1837 The Daily Pittsburgh Gazette,
November 2, 1837, Page 2.
Report of the Water Committee on a new reservoir, October 30, 1837.
1837 Annual report of the Watering Committee for the year 1837 to the Select and Common Councils of the city of Pittsburgh from Historic Pittsburgh
1838 Sketch of the civil engineering of North
America: comprising remarks on the harbours, river and lake
navigation, lighthouses, steam-navigation, water-works, canals, roads,
railways, bridges, and other works in that country, by
David Stevenson
Page 280: Pittsburg, on the Ohio in the State of Pennsylvania, is
supplied with water from the river Alleghany. It is raised by a
steam-engine of 84 horses power into a reservoir capable of containing
1,000,000 gallons of water, and elevated 116 feet above the level of the
river. The main leading from the pumps to the reservoir is fifteen inches
in diameter, and the pump raises 1,500,000 gallons in twenty-four hours.
1838 The Daily Pittsburgh Gazette,
November 27, 1838, Page 2.
Sealed proposals will be received by the Superintendent of the Water
Works, addressed to the water committee, until the 14th December next, for
grading the reservoir lot on Prospect Hill, preparatory to the excavation
of the basins, being about 80,000 yards.
Proposals will also be received for the erection of two Steam Engines and
Forcing Pumps plans and dimensions of which can be seen on application to
the superintendent at the water works. Robt. Moore, Superintendent.
nov 22
1838 Purchase of new
reservoir site 160 feet above the river at Prospect and Elm street,
construction began following year. Now site of Washington Park
1842 Pittsburgh
Daily Post, September 15, 1842, Page 2.
New Water works. The workmen are getting along well. It will not be
a great while till it will be in operation.--It will be only second to
Croton, when finished, and we presume, our citizens, not to be outdone by
the Gothamites, will have a jollification.
1844 Pittsburgh Daily Post, January
8, 1844, Page 2.
Annual Report of the Water Committee for the year 1843. Your
Committee are of opinion that a large additional revenue may be had by
supplying the city of Allegheny with water.
1844 New water works began service on July 4 with two steam engines, named Hercules and Samson, that could pump a total of 9 million gallons daily.
1845 The Pittsburgh Daily Post,
January 17, 1845, Page 2.
Report of the Water Committee. Since the month of June, the city has
been exclusively supplied with water from the new work; the old ones were
then abandoned.
1845 The Daily Pittsburgh Gazette and
Advertiser, January 27, 1845, Page 2.
For Sale. Two high steam engines and two double forcing pumps,
suitable for Water works.
1848 $30,000 for constructing basin or reservoir now known as Bedford Reservoir, completed in 1850 In September, 1848, -the old pumping plant on Cecil alley was sold for $24,000.
1849 The Pittsburgh Gazette, March
15, 1849, Page 3.
To Engine Builders - Proposals will be received at the office of the
Pittsburgh Water Works until Tuesday, 13th inst., at 5 o'clock, P. M., for
making a small Steam Engine. Drawings and specifications are to be
seen at the office in the old C. H. J. H. McClelland, Supt.
1850 The Pittsburgh Daily Post,
January 15, 1850, Page 2.
Hale's Rotary Pump. On Saturday last, we visited the Water Works, in
this city, and after a cursory examination of the improvements over the
past year, our attention was particularly called to the new "Doctor" and
Pump recently erected there by Messrs. Preston and Wagner of this
city. The "Doctor" is a beam engine, ten inches diameter, thirty
inch stroke. 40,000 gallons per hour.
1851 An
act ... relative to the collection of water tax in the city of
Pittsburgh. April 12, 1851.
Section 8. Water taxes to be a lien.
1852 Pittsburgh Daily Post, January
15, 1852, Page 2.
Report of the Water Committee; Report of the Superintendent of the Water
Works, for the year 1851.
6,681 dwellings, stores, shops and offices paid $29,184 in water rent, for
an average of $4.37
1853 "Assessment
of Water Rents," The Pittsburgh Gazette, January 19, 1836,
Page 1.
6,689 dwelling houses paid $31,218 in water rent, for an average of $4.67
per house.
1853 Annual Report of the Board of Water
Commissioner of the City of Detroit. In 1853, the new Board
of Water Commissioners of the City of Detroit sent superintendent Jacob
Houghton, Jr. to visit and report on water works in other cities,
including Pittsburgh.
Page 21: Pittsburgh. Is supplied with water from the Allegheny
River. At this place there are two reservoirs, at different elevations,
the lower one at one hundred and sixty feet, and the upper one at three
hundred and ninety-six feet above low water mark. The water is elevated
into the lower reservoir from the river, by means of two large
high-pressure engines, through a distance of two thousand feet.
At the lower reservoir are two smaller engines, driving pumps which
elevate the water into the upper reservoir through a pipe about one-fourth
of a mile in length.
This pumping pipe is also used as a distributing main, being connected
with the distributing pipes; and, while the engines are running, the
entire service connected with the upper reservoir is supplied directly
from the pumps. This mode of using the pump main, for the double purpose
of an inlet and outlet, has proved an unfavorable experiment. All means of
circulation are prevented, and the water, becoming stagnant, has a bad
taste and odor, and gives rise to a great deal of complaint. The
reservoirs are built of earth embankments, the inside slopes paved with
brick.
These works have cost about $700,000, and supply 50,000 inhabitants with
water.
1855 Cities of Pittsburgh and Allegheny, with parts of adjacent boroughs. Shows 1844 water works pumping station on Etna Street between O'Hare and Walnut, on Allegheny River.
1855 An act to incorporate the Monongahela Water Company. April 21, 1855.
1856 The Daily Pittsburgh Gazette,
January 8, 1856, Page 1.
Report of the Water Committee; Report of the Superintendent of Water Works
1857 An act to authorize the Select and Common Councils of the city of Pittsburg to assess Water Rents. February 20, 1857.
1859 The Daily Pittsburgh Gazette,
February 21, 1859, Page 1.
Report of the Water Committee; Report of the Superintendent of Water Works
1860 A supplement to an act to incorporate the Monongahela Water Company. April 2, 1860.
1860 A
Digest of the Acts of Assembly, the Codified Ordinance of the City of
Pittsburgh: Adopted October 6, 1859 and a Digest of Other Ordinances
Now in Force
Pages 97-99: Rates for Water Rents
SMALL DWELLINGS.
Fronting on courts, alleys, or small tenement houses on public streets,
occupied exclusively as dwellings, for use of outside hydrant of
convenient access, whether on premises or not, for each family—
1 room charged $1.00; 2 rooms charged $2.00 to $3.00; 3 rooms charged
$3.75; 4 rooms charged $4.50; Each additional room, 75 cents. Extra use of
water, or additional fixtures, rated according to "dwelling" charges. All
persons without water, not on the lines of main pipes, at reduced rates.
DWELLINGS.
Fronting on public streets, occupied exclusively as dwellings, for each
family occupying the premises, with hydrant in yard and kitchen, or
either—
2 rooms charged $4.00; 4 rooms charged $6.00; 6 rooms charged $7.50; 8
rooms charged $9.00; 9 or 10 rooms $10.50; Each additional room $1.00
Baths supplied with cold water, each, 1.00; Baths supplied with hot and
cold water, each, 2.00; Baths supplied by separate ferrule from the main,
for 1 bath, 5.00; For each additional bath, 3.00
Water closets, for one, 2.00; For each additional, 1.00; Wash basins in
chambers, and urinals, same rates.
Wash pavements, of every description, each, 8.00; Used by more than one
family, for each family, 1.50
Street and garden hose, $1.00 to 10.00
1861 A further supplement to an act to incorporate the Monongahela Water Company. May 1, 1861.
1864 A further supplement to an act to incorporate the Monongahela Water Company, approved the twenty-first day of April, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five. March 17, 1864.
1865 A further supplement to an act incorporating the Monongahela Water Company. March 22, 1865.
1866 A further supplement to an act, entitled "an act to incorporate the Monongahela Water Company," approved the twenty-first day of April, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five. February 15, 1866.
1868 Foster & Co. v. Fowler & Co., 60 Pa. 27 November 18, 1868. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court held that a lien filed against a engine pumping-house owned and operated by a privately held entity, the Monongahela Water Company, was invalid because the pumping-house was used to supply water to the citizens of Birmingham, East Birmingham, and south Pittsburgh. Id. at 30-31.
1868 Preliminary Report with reference to extension of the New Pittsburgh Water Works, by W. Milnor Roberts, consulting engineer, as made to water extension committee of councils, December 16, 1868.
1868 Report of Superintendent & Engineer of Water Works for 1868.
1869 Report of the Water Committee, for 1869. February 28, 1870.
1870 The Pittsburgh Daily Commercial,
March 12, 1870, Page 4.
Our Water Works. Reports of the Department. Contracts have been let
for a new engine and pump at the upper works.
1870 Water supply for
higher territory being inadequate a small pump was installed at the lower
basin to pump water to the Bedford basin, and at this time a substation
was erected at 45th street, to supply the Lawrenceville district.
1871 A
further supplement to an act, entitled "An act to incorporate the
Monongahela Water Company," approved the twenty-first day of April, one
thousand eight hundred and fifty-five. March 1, 1871
SECTION 2. That said company be and it is hereby authorized and empowered
to extend its main supply, and all other pipes for conducting and
supplying water to, in and through the boroughs of Ormsby, St Clair,
Allentown, Mount Washington, West Pittsburg and Temperanceville, and the
townships of Lower St Clair, Union and Chartiers..
1871 Pittsburgh new Water Works : report of the Board of Examiners and hydraulic engineers, with estimates of cost of work : submitted March, 1871, includes, Engineers Report, February 24, 1871, by Ellis Sylvester Chesbrough and Moses Lane. | Appendix with cost estimates; Report of Otto Wuth, Analytical and Consulting Chemist; Description of Engines, by George M. Copeland, Mechanical Engineer; and Descent of the Allegheny River from Coudersport to Pittsburgh.
1871 "Our Water Supply," The Pittsburgh Gazette, March 14, 1871, Page 1.
1872 Atlas Plate showing 45th Street Water Works Pumping Plant. Atlas Plate showing works of Monongahela Water Company.
1872 Report of the Water Commission, of the City of Pittsburgh, for the year 1872.
1873 An act authorizing the city of Pittsburg to erect engine house and pumping works in the bed of the Allegheny river. March 18, 1873.
1874 The Pittsburgh Commercial, May 5, 1874, Page 4. Water committee meeting, reports on south side water works.
1874 The Pittsburgh Commercial, July 27, 1874, Page 4. Water committee meeting, reports on south side water works.
1874 Report of W. Milnor Roberts, on the new water works of the City of Pittsburgh. March 30, 1874
1874 Report of The Water Committee for the Extension of the New Water Works of City of Pittsburgh, December 1, 1874.
1875 The Pittsburgh Gazette, March
13, 1875, Page 4.
The cylinder of the Samson engine, at the old water works, broke about on
o'clock this morning. The city now depends exclusively for its water
supply on the old engine Hercules, which is not near as strong as its name
implies.
1875 The Pittsburgh Gazette,
December 10, 1875, Page 4.
A Water Famine. The Hercules and and Samson Engines Disabled. The
city is now without an adequate supply of water.
1875 The Pittsburgh Gazette,
December 13, 1875, Page 4.
Both the "Samson" and "Hercules" engines at the lower water works are in
successful operation again.
1876 The Pittsburgh Gazette, May 19,
1876, Page 4.
The City Water Supply. Annual Report of Superintendent Atkinson.
1879 "Pittsburgh's New Water-Works Engines," Engineering News 6:62 (February 22, 1879)
1879 The Pittsburgh Gazette, August
5, 1879, Page 4.
The New Water Works. Preparing to Lay the Distributing Main.
Dr. Evans - The new engines are numbered. I think this is a poor way
to designate them. The old engines are named Sampson and Hercules.
Mr. Herron - I moved that Dr. Evans be appointed a committee of one to
christen the new engines.
The motion carried amidst a great deal of laughter.
1879 "More Water Works Troubles," Pittsburgh Daily Post, August 6, 1879, Page 4.
1879 Engineering
News 6:271 (August 23, 1879)
The visit of a Committee of Councils to the Hiland avenue reservoirs had
led to the discovery that the ground adjacent to the reservoirs is to soft
and spongy, from leaks from the basins, that persons can hardly walk over
it.
1879 Engineering
News 6:359 (November 1, 1879)
The air-suction of the new Pittsburgh Water-Works broke on the 23d ult.
1881 Pittsburgh, Engineering News, 8:234-234 & 242-243 (June 11 & 18, 1881)
1882 Pittsburgh from "The Water-Supply of Certain Cities and Towns of the United States," by Walter G. Elliot, C. E., Ph. D.
1882 Atlas plate showing Brilliant Reservoir, and Highland Reservoir; Atlas Plate showing Brilliant Pumping Station
1884 Engineering News 12:250
(November 22, 1884)
The Water Committee, of Pittsburgh has awarded the contracts for supplying
the Southside with city water. The contract for supplying the pipe
was given to A. H. McNeal, of Burlington. N. J., and for laying the pipe,
to Booth and Flinn. The contracts are subject to the approval or
disapproval of Councils.
PITTSBURGH WATER-WORKS.
Mr. Emile Low, C. E., has kindly sent the subjoined account of the early
history of the Pittsburgh. Pa., Water Supply, which is fuller and more
detailed than the account given in "The History and Statistics” on page
235, Vol. VIII. Engineering News, June 11, 1881 J. J. R. C.
The project of supplying the city of Pittsburgh with water, was first
broached in the year 1826. On the 24th of February of that year an
ordinance providing for a loan to construct water-works was introduced in
the borough councils. A committee of the councils called the Water
Committee. was charged with the supervision of the work. The Pittsburgh
and the Exchange Banks advanced the necessary funds.
A lot of ground on which the engine house was erected, situated at the
corner of Duquesne Way and Cecil Alley, was purchased for $1,425.
The reservoir was located on Grant Street opposite the site of the court
house which was burned down about two years or more ago. The lot on which
the reservoir was built was 240 feet square, and was obtained for the sum
of $3,800. The first annual report was submitted by the committee on
January 9, 1827, according to which the citizens had declared by nearly an
unanimous vote to build water-works
The revenue from the works in the year 1829 amounted to $3,086. For the
first three years the consumption of water was not over 4,000 gallons per
day or at the rate of 1,460,000 gallons annually.
On account of the rapid growth of the city. the works now proved unable to
supply the ever increasing demand, and about the year 1842 the
construction of new works on a more extensive scale was decided
upon. Mr. R. Moor, was placed in charge and superintended both the
building of the engines and reservoir. The site selected for the engine
house was at the foot of what is now Eleventh Street, immediately above
the old Aqueduct crossing the Allegheny River at this point, but long
since torn down, and the reservoir was located on the hill just back of
the Union Station, P.R.R. and below the present High School.
The works were completed July 4, 1844, being put into operation on that
day.
The capacity of the two engines was together 9,000,000 gallons per day. An
amount six times greater than the consumption at that date, which did not
exceed 1,000,000 gallons per diem.
1887 "Asks
an Impossibility," Pittsburgh Daily Post, May 7, 1887, Page
2
Superintendent Browne's New Weights for Pipe
1887 "The
Other Side," Pittsburgh Daily Post, May 11, 1887, Page 2
Why Superintendent Browne Wants Heavier Lead Pipe
1887 "Kicking about Pipe Sizes," Pittsburgh Daily Post, June 18, 1887, Page 2
1887 Engineering
News 19:547 (June 30, 1887)
New wells for summer supply of water.
1888 "Pittsburgh," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 1.
1888 Allegheny County's Hundred Years,
by George Henry Thurston
Page 163-164: The manufacturing of Wrought Iron Pipe is also one of
the more important industries of Allegheny county. In addition to the
works at Pittsburgh, there is also at McKeesport the largest iron pipe
manufactory in the United States. This industry had its beginning in
Allegheny county nearly half a century ago, when the making of wrought
pipe was begun by Spang & Co., in 1840, which firm was succeeded in
1856 by Spang, Chalfant & Co. In 1864 A. M. Byers & Co.
established the second works of this kind. In 1866 another was put in
operation by Evans, Clow, Dalzell & Co., who were succeeded by Evans,
Dalzell & Co. This firm having financially failed their works passed
into the possession of the Pennsylvania Tube Works.
In 1871 Wm. Graff & Co. also established another tube works at Herr's
Island, Allegheny City, these subsequently passing into the possession of
Rhodes & Porter {Joshua Rhodes and --- Porter), Mr. Rhodes becoming
subsequently interested in the Pennsylvania Tube Works, which, as before
stated, came into the ownership of the works of Evans, Dalzell & Co.
In 1879 the National Tube Works were built at McKeesport by the National
Tube Works Company. In 1884 the Continental Tube Works Company built
extensive works in the Twenty-third ward of Pittsburgh, the firm style
being subsequently changed to Continental Tube Works, limited. In 1885 the
Pittsburgh Tube Works were built by the Pittsburgh Tube Company.
The facilities at Pittsburgh for manufacturing this article are not
approachable at any other point. That covers the subject without further
words, as a consideration of the facts given in the various remarks in
this volume as to the iron, steel and fuel resources of the city
demonstrates. Iron tubing from i inch to 16 inches in diameter is made at
all the mills engaged in this class of manufactures, and two-thirds of all
the iron tubing made in the Middle States is the product of the tube works
of Allegheny county.
This class of manufactures in Pittsburgh is in advance of the quality and
mechanism of any of their product in any other part of the world, not
excepting England. Orders for the products of these works are filled in
sharp competition with the bids of European plants, large quantities being
lately shipped to Russia and also Canada, at which point Pittsburgh makers
are not only able to pay the duties, but still undersell the English
houses.
The capacity of these six mills is about 180,000 tons, and the area of
ground occupied by them approximates fifteen acres, and the value of the
plants is estimated at $4,000,000. They employ an average of 2,500 hands
running full, which they are now doing up to their capacity, and
distribute wages to the amount of between $1,200,000 and $1,400,000. The
value of the output of these mills is from $8,000,000 to $9,000,000.
Page 167-168: In 1828 the first contract for water pipe for the city
of Pittsburgh was made with Alexander McClurg & Co., of the Pittsburgh
foundary, and Kingsland, Lightner, & Co., of the Jackson and Eagle
Foundaries. The first pipe was cast 1827, and tested at a pond then
to be seen between the Cathedral and Smithfield Street.
Page 171-172: There was also at an early date the Columbia Steam
Engine Company, originating with George Evans, of which Lewis Peterson,
who died about 1886, at the age of 90, was the secretary.
This is possibly the same work mentioned as Stackhouse & Rodgers, in
1813, or suceeded it, as it was managed by M. Stackhouse and M.
Rogers. These works constructed the machinery of the first water
works at Pittsburg, under the superintendence of George Evans.
The Columbia Steam Engine Company about 1830 passed to Warden &
Benney, and afterwards to John B. Warden & Son. In 1820 Arthurs &
Benney built what was known as the Union Works at the corner of First
avenue and Redoubt alley, which at a subsequent period passed into the
possession of A. Irwin & Co. In 1828 James Nelson succeeded to the
steam engine and machine division of the works of Arthurs & Nicholson,
they retaining the foundry. By him the engines of the second water works
of Pittsburgh were built
1890 "Pittsburgh," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 2.
1891 "Pittsburgh," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 3.
1893 "The Water Supply of Pittsburg and Allegheny City," by James Hayward Harlow, Proceedings of the Engineering Society of Western Pennsylvania 9(3):17-33 (March, 1893)
1894 "Report of Committee on Water Supply of Pittsburg and Allegheny," by James Hayward Harlow, Proceedings of the Engineering Society of Western Pennsylvania 10(4):1-4 (April, 1894)
1897 A
Digest of the Acts of Assembly Relating to and the General Ordinances
of the City of Pittsburgh from 1804 to Jan. 1, 1897
Pages 516-526: Bureau of Water. Water Rents and meter rates
1897 "Pittsburgh," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 4.
1898 "A
Giant Water Scheme," The Weekly Courier (Connellsville,
Pennsylvania), September 30, 1898, Page 8.
Western Water Company Proposes to Pipe Pure Water from Indian Creek to
Pittsburg.
1899 Report of the Filtration commission: of the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, January, 1899
1899 Annual report of the Department of Public Works, city of Pittsburgh
1908 "Early
Water Works," from A century and a half of Pittsburg and her
people, Volume 2, by John Newton Boucher, Editor in chief
page
1908 "The
Water Supply of the City of Pittsburgh. The Main Pumping Stations and
Filtration Plant," by H. G. Manning, Iron
Age, 82(10):636-637 (September 3, 1908)
The Brilliant Station is situated seven miles from the City Hall up the
Allegheny River, and all of its 10 pumping engines, with a total normal
capacity of 130,000,000 gal. per day, are now cut off from any
communication with the river, the suction trunk leading directly from the
filtered water basin of the new filtration plant. All of the pumps
in the Brilliant Station are high duty, pumping against a head of some 350
ft.
1909 The rebuilding, betterment and extensions of the South Pittsburg water works, by John Needles Chester. Thesis, University of Illinois
1909 Agreement between the City of Pittsburgh and the Monongahela Water Company
1911 "History of Pittsburgh Water Supply," by L.C. Macpherson, Fire and Water Engineering (December 20, 1911) 50:451-452
1912 Flood Control Map showing location of Brilliant Pumping Plant, originally built in 1879.
1912 Annual Report. Bureau of Water, Department of Public Works, City of Pittsburgh
1913 Annual Report. Bureau of Water, Department of Public Works, City of Pittsburgh
1914 Annual Report. Bureau of Water, Department of Public Works, City of Pittsburgh
1914 "Thirty-Five Years of Typhoid: The Economic Cost to Pittsburgh and the Long Fight for Pure Water," by Frank E. Wing, from The Pittsburgh Survey: The Pittsburgh district civil frontage, edited by Paul Underwood Kellogg.
1915 "Report on Water Conditions at Pittsburgh," Fire and Water Engineering, 58(6):82-83. (August 11, 1915)
1915 Annual Report. Bureau of Water, Department of Public Works, City of Pittsburgh
1916 "Pittsburgh's Water Supply," from The City of Pittsburgh and Its Public Works by Pittsburgh (Pa.). Dept. of Public Works
1922 History of Pittsburgh and Environs,
Volume II, by George Thornton Fleming
Page 62: In 1818 W. B. Foster and William Hamilton petitioned councils for
the privilege of supplying the city with water, both for the inhabitants
and utilities.
Page 64: The mayor was authorized to negotiate water certificates to the
amount of $20,000 in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. In December, contracts
were awarded for the construction of a reservoir upon a site at Fifth and
Grant streets and Diamond and Cherry alleys, together with the building of
"a pump with a fourteen-inch cylinder and a double stroke, capable of
raising to the new reservoir 600,000 gallons in twelve hours, at a cost of
$2,000 for the pump." In January, 1827, Council appropriated $12,000 for
the new water works, and later authorized the issue of loan certificates
to the amount of $20,000 in denomination of $100 each at six per cent.
interest.
Frederick Graeff of Philadelphia, in token of appreciation for his
services in furnishing gratuitously plans and estimates for the new city
water-works, was presented with some fine Pittsburgh glassware by vote of
city council."
Page 65: River water was first furnished to Pittsburgh residents and to
all business houses in September, 1828.
It was a premature announcement, that of the opening of the water works in
September, 1828, because pipelayers failed to finish until December, when
George Evans was elected superintendent of the new city works.
1923 "Description of Pittsburgh Water Works," by Erwin Eugene Lanpher, Journal of the American Water Works Association, 10(6) 1027-1034 (November 1923)
1929 "A Century of the Pittsburgh Water Works," Erwin Eugene Lanpher. Proceedings of the Engineer's Society of Western Pennsylvania, 44(10):331-346. (January, 1929).
1930 City of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: its water works, by Erwin Eugene Lanpher and Typhoid Fever Statistics by Chester F. Drake. | PDF file with OCRd text |
1934 "Electrification of the Brilliant Pumping Station at Pittsburgh, Pa.," by James H. Kennon, Managing Engineer, Bureau of Water, Pittsburgh, Journal of the American Water Works Association, 26(2):189-193 (February 1934)
1937 Map showing Brilliant Pumping Station, originally built in 1879
1945 "The
Old Fifth Ward of Pittsburgh," recollections of James A. Beck, The Western Pennsylvania Historical
Magazine, 28(3-4):111-126 (September-December 1945)
Page 111: The borough of Bayardstown was laid out in 1816: it was
succeeded by the borough of Northern Liberties in 1829, and as annexed by
the city of Pittsburgh in 1837 it became the Fifth Ward. As the city
expanded and its subdivisions were reorganized, the Fifth Ward became the
Ninth and Tenth Wards. Inrecent years the city has been divided into
twenty-seven wards, the Old Fifth becoming part of the Second Ward, as at
present.
Page 112: William Smith's foundry was located at Locust (19th)
Street and Pike Street, and specialized in cast-iron water-pipe up to
three feet in diameter. These huge pipes were trundled along on the street
by Frank Ardary's "Timber Wheels," a carrier consisting of two huge
timbers of great length supported by high blocking on wheels from six to
eight feet high, equipped with heavy screw hooks and chains for raising
and lowering the pipe in transporting, and drawn by from six to ten
horses, depending on the load. Most of the water pipes used by the city
came from "Smith's," and were tested at the foundry before acceptance.
Matthew McCandless was the official tester for many years.
Page 113: The city waterworks was situated at the foot of O'Hara (12th)
Street at the river. This building was erected in 1842 by Charles and John
Beck [the author's granduncle and grandfather], contractors, and the
construction was remarkable for those days. The building was 100 x125
feet, providing for twohorizontal engine pumps, boilers, and offices for
the superintendent and others. The water was drawn direct from the
river,and pumped to the basin on Bedford Avenue adjacent to the old
Pittsburgh Central High School above the Pennsylvania Railroad depot. The
site of this basin is now the Washington Play Grounds. The two engines and
pumps, walking beam type, were named "Samson and Hercules."
The roof of the waterworks building was supported on huge wooden trusses
which were built and bolted together on the ground. The placing inposition
of these trusses was a gala day for contractors and builders. Many
contended that they could not be raised to their position by manpower, as
steam was not yet utilized for such work. Finally, when all
was ready, the windlasses were manned, and the trusses were hoisted to the
top of the walls, and swung into position without mishap to workmen or
walls, much to the disappointment of some of the pessimists. This pumping
station was discontinued about 1879 when the Brilliant waterworks station
was placed in service.
1954 The Pittsburgh Press, July 2,
1954, Page 7
City's Typhoid Fighter Quits Filtration Post
1962 "Pittsburgh," from Public Water Supplies of the 100 Largest Cities in the United States, 1962, US Geological Survey Water Supply Paper 1812, by Charles Norman Durfor and Edith Becker
1962 "Smoke, Smoke, and Health in Early Pittsburgh," by John Duffy, The Western Pennsylvania Historical Magazine 45(2):93-106 (June 1962)
1988 Water Supply for the Greater Pittsburgh Area - 1998 and beyond, December, 1988
2004 History of the Pittsburgh Public Water Supply - City of Pittsburgh (Powerpoint presentation)
© 2016 Morris A. Pierce