GLASS PLANT: Clyde Johnson, a historian out of Port Allegany, sent along some of the history of the local Pittsburgh Corning plant, which he tells us was presented by the Port Allegany History Museum.
Clyde writes, “This marvelous, good-looking, well-kept-up factory has been manufacturing glass blocks in Port Allegany since 1938.
“They also manufactured foamglas, unibestos, foamthane, all insulating products. Foamglas was moved to Sedalia, Mo. Unibestos and foamthane were discontinued.
“For many years they were the only glass block manufacturer in the world. Today glass blocks are manufactured in several countries, mainly China.
“The P.C. was one of the largest manufacturers in McKean County. They employed over 500, but are down to about 60 now. They mainly manufacture glass block windows and specialty blocks. As the heyday years passed, the plant has had to decrease its size, probably to cut taxes. It still has skilled workers and technology beyond belief.
“I worked in a glass plant for forty years, so I know the intricate skills to make glass bottles or glass blocks.
“From the beginning, the special raw materials are brought into the batch house to be mixed super perfect, then melted in the tank at a very hot controlled temperature. The molten glass is then run into what is called a feeder. At the feeder the molten glass (drop) is cut off at the right size and weight. The glass is dropped into the mold and pressed to shape. The two halves are glued together. The blocks are then picked up and placed on a conveyor then moved to the leyhr, where they are run at a controlled temperature. This is to keep the glass from blowing up when cooled.
“Making glass bottles and glass blocks is very complicated and requires skill beyond belief. Everything must be precise like the movement in a Swiss watch.
“A little history of the P.C., the Chamber of Commerce persuaded Corning Glass and Pittsburgh Plate Glass companies to locate their new glass plant here.
“We had a lot to offer them, such as a perfect building spot with a great RR siding for raw materials and shipping out their finished products. That was before trucking took over. We had plenty of housing and lots of good workers. The main factor was we had lots of natural gas to heat the furnaces. We also had a good source of good water.
“As other products were added, more plants and warehouses were added.”
We’ve gathered that Clyde is feeling nostalgic because he says the future of the plant is uncertain.
