Cambria Iron Lower Works
The Johnstown Redevelopment Authority concluded lengthy negotiations with the Bethlehem Steel Company in January of 1998. At that time the Authority Board approved an agreement drafted with Bethlehem that transferred three buildings from the Cambria Lower Works to the Authority. Both parties hoped that this effort would form the basis for full-scale commercial and industrial redevelopment at the Lower Works.
In 2003, the Authority gained title to ten acres of land within the Cambria Iron Lower Works, including the land on which the Machine Shop, Carpenter Shop, Blacksmith Shop and Electrical Storage Building sit. Also purchased was the Historic Pedestrian Footbridge, the Guardshacks and the Rolling Mill Office.
The Cambria Iron Lower Works is the oldest iron and steel industry site in Johnstown; Daniel Morrell first developed it in 1848 as part of the Cambria Iron Company. The Lower Works passed through the hands of Andrew Carnegie, Charles Schwab, and eventually on to the Bethlehem Steel Company. At the height of the steel industry in Johnstown, mills spread out over 13 miles along the Conemaugh, Little Conemaugh, and Stonycreek Rivers. Johnstown’s mills created rails for western railroads, plate, girders, axles, and structural steel. Since Bethlehem Steel’s complete shutdown in 1994, five new steel related industries have located in parts of the old plant.
In 1989 the National Park Service listed the Cambria Ironworks Complex as a National Historic Landmark. Cambria Ironworks is one of only two American steel mill to have received this designation. Studies by the National Park Service and the Historic American Engineering Record have recognized the Cambria Ironworks site as one of the most historically significant steel mills in the United States.
The Johnstown Redevelopment Authority is undertaking an eclectic mix of redevelopment initiatives to transform the former Cambria Ironworks steel-making setting. Three remaining structures in the complex are the Machine Shop, Carpenter Shop, and Blacksmith Shop. Due to environmental regulations and concerns for public health and safety, hazardous materials and substances that were a result of the buildings’ industrial past needed to be remediated as part of renovation/restoration efforts.
The Machine Shop
The Machine Shop, built circa 1906, is a large heavy steel frame structure with non-bearing brick walls, large wood frame windows, and glazed roof monitors. The final round of remediation was completed in the Machine Shop in December 2003. The Machine Shop was originally used to maintain, repair, and manufacture industrial machinery. The 75,000 square foot building has three cranes, and is well suited for industrial use. There is currently a small industrial manufacturer leasing 5,000 sq. ft. and activities are ongoing to lease the remainder of the space.
The Carpenter Shop
The Carpenter Shop, built circa 1870, is a two-story brick bearing wall structure with wood frame floor and roof construction. The final round of remediation was completed on the Carpenter Shop in December of 2003. The Carpenter Shop was originally used to make wooden patterns used in processes through the rest of the steel mill operation. The building's first floor is currently home to a wood refinishing company, keeping alive the building's history as a carpenter shop!
The Blacksmith Shop
The Blacksmith Shop, considered the most historically significant structure in the Cambria Iron & Steel National Historic Landmark, has high potential for visitor use. The Blacksmith Shop is home to a ten-ton steam hammer that was donated to the Smithsonian by Bethlehem Steel, and subsequently leased to the Johnstown Redevelopment Authority. The shop also contains the original hammers, ovens, and tools our forefathers used to shape our industrial heritage. The Johnstown Redevelopment Authority in cooperation with the Johnstown Area Heritage Association and the National Park Service is undertaking the rehabilitation and restoration of the Blacksmith Shop to create and educational, interpretive destination for visitors. This octagonal structure, built circa 1864, has undergone stabilization and reproofing to make the structure weather tight. The Redevelopment Authority has undertaken environmental assessments and remediation is soon to begin so that this historical landmark can realize its potential to become a fully functioning Blacksmith Shop, open to the public as part of a Heritage Exhibit.
Other activities taking place at the Cambria Iron Lower Works Complex involve the Iron Street Trail and the Cambria Iron Pedestrian Bridge. The Iron Street Trail is the newest part of the Johnstown Urban Greenway. The 0.8-mile trail was completed in January of 2004. The Army Corps of Engineers in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources, the Johnstown Area Heritage Association, and the Johnstown Redevelopment Authority constructed the trail. It is located along the Conemaugh River, running along Iron St. from Johns St. to the Cambria Iron Pedestrian Bridge. Since the trail is built along the Conemaugh River Wall, part of the Army Corps of Engineers Johnstown Local Flood Protection project, signs along the trail have stories and pictures depicting the history of the creation of the river walls.
The Cambria Iron Works Pedestrian Footbridge
The Cambria Iron Pedestrian Bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Sites as part of the Cambria Iron & Steel National Historic Landmark. The bridge is currently closed to public use because of safety issues caused by neglect and lack of maintenance. As it appears today the bridge has two spans. The western span was replaced after it was destroyed in the 1977 flood. The eastern span was built by Bethlehem Steel Company in the 1930’s. Restoration of the bridge to its original 1930’s appearance are will begin in 2005. The addition of this bridge will enhance access to the Cambria Iron Lower Works Complex while creating a complete pedestrian link from the Downtown Historic District to the Cambria City Historic District.