They Moved an Entire House... Without Taking It Apart! 😲

 

In 1904, “The House Where We Began”—the original home of the H. J. Heinz Company in Sharpsburg, Pennsylvania—was relocated in a remarkable feat of early 20th-century engineering. The company wanted to preserve its historic first building by moving it five miles down the Allegheny River to its main plant in Allegheny City, now part of Pittsburgh’s North Side. The Kress-Hanlon Company took on the challenge, first lifting the 169-ton structure using blocking timbers and reinforcing it with cables. It was then slowly rolled 800 feet to the riverbank, advancing only about 50 feet a day due to muddy terrain.

Once at the river’s edge, the house was slid onto the largest coal barge available, though the barge initially sank into the riverbed under the weight. After several days, rising water levels freed the barge, and a powerful river towboat began guiding it downstream. All this was done quietly and away from public eyes, with no official commentary from Kress or Hanlon during the move. In the background of photos documenting this effort is the original Highland Park Bridge, built in 1902, which was later replaced in 1938.

This episode reflects not only the pride Heinz had in its origins but also the lengths taken to preserve industrial heritage.

\#HeinzHistory #PittsburghHeritage #AlleghenyRiver #HistoricPreservation