For the first few decades of Latrobe's existence, its only industries were a car works, a paper mill, a shoe factory and coal mining.
The real growth of Latrobe began when the Latrobe Steel Works began operating in what would become Latrobe's Fifth Ward. It has had a variety of names throughout its history. Some recall it as ALCO. Others remember it as “the Railway” or Standard Steel or Forge and Spring. It was the first steel company in a town that would become known for its specialty steel and steel products.
Note: The Latrobe Electric Steel Company was founded in 1913, also in Fifth Ward. It is now Latrobe Specialty Metals, Inc. owned by Carpenter Technology Corp.
Download the full story of edited excerpts of articles from the Summer 2007 and Winter 2018 - 2019 Gazettes here