41/49.- Pittsburgh, Stacks/ Waterfront Complex

The Waterfront Complex , a sprawling- shoppy- restauranty- cinemay -web that replaced the Homestead Steel Works, entices one and all to spend, spend, spend. It may indeed be a happier place than the Homestead Steel Works which also sprawled itself out along the banks of the river. The Stacks are what remains of this famous steel mill once owned by Andrew Carnegie who made big, big bucks in Homestead. However, in 1892, Mr. Carnegie found himself with a slight problem that wouldn’t budge. The workers at his steel plant refused to sign a contract which would have meant lower salaries. The resultant melee was a disaster in public relations as the honourable Mr Frick, Carnegie’s testy buddy and right-hand man, brought in the assistance of the Pinkerton Detective Agency who shipped off gunmen to do the dirty work. A final clean-up was undertaken by the militia who proved a point to the workers - that whilst Andrew Carnegie is on vacation, he does not want to be disturbed.

[Next »]