The history of American iron and steel making parallels the development of America as a nation. It is an industry with humble beginnings that blossomed to provide the raw materials for unprecedented growth and technological development.
Lukens started as a single mill and grew into an industrial complex that housed the world's largest plate mill. As Lukens expanded, the City of Coatesville grew around it and became an active, thriving community that was home to generations of workers and residents. Not only is Lukens the longest continuously operating firm in the American iron and steel industry, it is also the only company in which a woman played a central role in early 19th century iron and steel development.
The story of the birth and growth of the steel industry in Coatesville is a complex story. It is a fascinating story of a family's role in the development of an American industry. It is an inspiring story of a young woman's struggle to preserve the family business while remaining committed to her values and her children. And it is a story of the workers whose efforts helped change the nation and the world.



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