Johnstown Industry

Johnstown, Pennsylvania, still stands today as one of the most significant sites in United States industrial and economic history. Known mostly for the disastrous flood of 1889, Johnstown was also a birthplace and powerhouse of iron, steel, coal, and transportation. From its early start as a small community on the fringes of the frontier, the town became an important terminus for the Pennsylvania Mainline Canal and an early site for coal and ore mining. It also grew into a major steel and iron producer renowned around the world for its output, know-how, and quality. At one time, Johnstown’s industry helped spur the national drive to become an economic and industrial superpower.