If standing inside of a giant molten iron ladle was on your bucket list, you can now cross it off. At the far end of Ship Canal Commons, located next to Tifft Nature Preserve, sits a massive reminder of the industrial history of the site. According to a nearby placard, the ladle was acquired from the Senator John Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh and now sits near where the Hanna Furnace Company had one of its operating ladles. While originally preparing the site for reuse, a rail wrench and iron ingots were found and have been incorporated into this awesome display of industrial art. The sculpturesque ladle is large enough to hold half a dozen people or so, all standing comfortably with plenty of extra headroom.
Walking into the ladle and looking out over the serene ship canal is kind of a neat experience, especially when you stop to contemplate the historic aspect of the site, compared to the natural regeneration of the land that we’re seeing today. The project is a dedication to all of the men and women who worked at the furnace company, and who helped to build America even though this particular line of work was extremely hazardous. The securing of the ladle was made possible by funding provided by the Greenway Standing committee and The Wendt Foundation.