Category: Timeline Stories

The Pittsburg Pirates (shown playing at Exhibition Park in old Allegheny City, now the city’s Northside) lost the best of nine games to the Boston Americans in the first-ever modern World Series.

The Pittsburg & Cincinnati Packet Line launched “The Queen City” (above) and her sister boat “Virginia.” to attract more affluent passengers with deluxe packet ships for pleasure trips between Pittsburg and Cincinnati. The shift in business away from cargo directly resulted from increased railroad competition.

Due to the hazards of steamboat travel, ensuring boats and their cargo was vital for a successful packet line. Captain Henderson’s sons, A.J. and Marshall, came to work alongside him to take up this responsibility.

Riverboat travel was hazardous. From 1811 to 1851, 21% of river accidents were caused by a steam explosion. Boilers built pressure to power paddleboats. If these tanks were not adequately monitored or maintained, the result could be a violent and deadly explosion. Another danger of river travel was a ‘snag.’ A snag is an unforeseen … Continued

Captain James A. Henderson and his brother-in-law, George Johnson, took a controlling stake in the Pittsburgh & Cincinnati Packet Line when it was reorganized and chartered in Pittsburg* on June 1, 1893. This date is recognized as the birthday of Henderson Brothers. (*Please Note: Pittsburgh was temporarily stripped of its ‘h’ in 1891 by the … Continued

Despite economic uncertainty and railroad growth, Henderson Brothers began its life in 1893 as a steamboat packet line led by Steamboat Captain James A. Henderson, as seen here on the old Monongahela Wharf.

The newly formed Carnegie Steel produced more steel than the British Empire with most of it due to railroad expansion.

The Panic of 1893 was one of the worst financial crises in the history of the United States. By June, hundreds of banks had suspended operations, and the effects of a resultant depression would be felt for another 5 years. This was known as “The Great Depression” until the more significant contraction occurred in the … Continued

Thomas E. Grealish, purchased the company from his aunt, Rose McMinn Kelly, and hired his brother-in-law, John Philbin. They keep the name Henderson Brothers out of respect for Captain Henderson, his sons, and their legacy in the region.