Dunbar, PA: Dunbar Furnace and Belle Vernon, PA: Glass Manufacturing

Jackson-Township historical preservation posted

Dunbar Furnace in the town of Dunbar, Fayette County on September 11, 1908.

(Photo from The Gallis Family via https://www.facebook.com/Fayette-County-Historical-SocietyAbel-Colley-Tavern-Museum-156864401040108/)

Jack Davis shared

A blast furnace in Dawson, Pa, from 1889 to 1923. Made pig iron the steel industry.

Brian Yurkovich: Dunbar not Dawson

Jack Davis: Brian Yurkovich - correct, i missed typed.

Fayette County Historical Society/Abel Colley Tavern & Museum posted
Glass manufacturing began in Belle Vernon  in 1836, making it the oldest window glass factory in the United States at one point.  On July 23, 1907, an early morning fire destroyed the old No. 1 factory.  Damages were estimated at $20,000. Another incident happened in 1949 when a tank being drained sprung a leak and molten glass started to flow onto the floor.  Eighteen men were taken to the hospital for treatment, including 4 plant employees who were overcome by gas and 14 Belle Vernon firemen who were injured while trying to stop the flow of the molten glass.  In 1949 the company announced that they would be shutting down the plant.  The owner sought a major reduction in the tax assessment; the borough opposed this reduction.  Another company eventually moved in but in 1976, a devastating fire gutted the plant.  Arson was suspected in the blaze which caused an estimated $100,000 loss.