BALDWIN LOCOMOTIVE WORKS: Broad and Spring Garden Streets.
Matthias W. Baldwin, an ingenious young engraver and machinist,
constructed a miniature locomotive which was operated at the
museum of Mr. Franklin Peale, at Ninth and George Streets, in
April, 1831. It hauled two cars, carrying four passengers. In
the following year he built, at his shop in Lodge Alley, west of
Seventh Street, the "Old Ironsides" engine, which was first used
upon the Germantown railroad on November 23, 1832. The public'
was informed by advertisement that the engine was used only in
fair weather. Five other locomotives were completed in 1834.
Then Mr. Baldwin removed to Broad and Spring Garden Streets.
From this small beginning, the present vast business has been
built up. The plant now covers nine city squares, in addition to
which a large establishment is operated at Eddystone, upon the
Delaware River. The personnel of the firm has changed a number
of times. At present, 12,000 men are employed. In 1915, 869
locomotives were built. A