John Roberts was one of several Welsh Quakers who met with William Penn in London to secure the purchase of 40,000 acres of farmland in the American Colonies. In late 1863, John Roberts arrived in present day Pennsylvania, and started a farm known as Pencoid (later respelled Pencoyd).
Six generations later, Algernon Roberts did not wish to take over the family farm, and instead went to Rensselaer to learn the trade of iron working. He took the eastern half of the farm, and partnered with his cousin Percival Roberts. In June of 1852, the two men hired several carpenters and laborers and began manufacturing railroad axles under the name Pencoyd Iron Works.
By 1859, the company was manufacturing some bridge parts, but the big break came from manufacturing the iron for the Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition buildings in 1876.
After this successful endeavor, Pencoyd Iron Works grew exponentially. Starting in 1887, the company began fabricating entire bridges, instead of just structural components. By the late 1890s, Pencoyd Village was built, featuring company housing, a public school and a library.
In 1900, the company was one of several merged into the newly formed American Bridge Company.
The iron foundry closed in 1927, and the remaining property was sold to Carnegie-Illinois Steel Corporation in 1937. Manufacturing continued at the site for several more years.
Today, the property has largely been redeveloped. While the main office building remains, much of the manufacturing buildings were demolished in the years after the closure.
Historically, many railroads seemed to have used the company to build bridges. In the Midwest, Northern Pacific Railroad, Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad and Kansas City Southern Railway are confirmed to have used the company.
A sample of plaques and projects completed by Pencoyd Iron Works can be seen below. It is important to note that there are two distinct markings on each plaque. Prior to 1895, the plaques state the bridge was built by Pencoyd Bridge & Construction Company. After 1895, the plaques state that the bridge was built by the A&P Roberts Company and Pencoyd Iron Works. It is unknown why this distinction was made.
Selected Works
Freight House Pedestrian Bridge (Kansas City, Missouri)
Katy Trail Massie Creek Bridge (Case, Missouri)
McKittrick Trail Bridge (McKitterick, Missouri)
Old Katy Bridge (Geary County, Kansas)
Parkville Waddell "A" Truss (Parkville, Missouri)