In 1916, Atlas Powder Co bought the Fort Pitt Powder Company, incorporated in 1911 in Pennsylvania, and its powder mill at Putneyville, PA. I'm not sure when the Putneyville powder mills began operation, but I believe it was in
the late 1800s. The mill was located along Camp run about 300 yards above Mahoning Creek. Originally there were two powder storage houses, but one exploded years ago. Homer Shreckengost was killed in an explosion at this powder mill. Homer was the son of gunsmith Levi Shreckengost. Interestingly, Camp Run's first white
inhabitant was
John Kuhn, one of the first settlers of Armstrong County. He established a trading post at Camp Run and
Mahoning Creek in the 1700s and traded with Indians and settlers. Prior to John establishing his post there,
Camp Run was an Indian recreational area. Later around 1870 or so, Levi Shreckengost built his home
at the confluence of these two streams and evidence of the house is still there. It is about a 45 minute hike
into this area which once had much activity, but today is very isolated. Further downstream at the confluence
of Mahoning Creek and the Allegheny River is where Samuel Brady is said to have killed Chief Bald Eagle.
Here is a picture of the remaining powder house (being used as a camp today).
It looks like they took security pretty seriously from the appearance of this door.
The construction appears to have been all brick and metal.
This photo from the site of Levi Shreckengosts home shows the remnants of what may have been
his forge about 6 feet outside his home. Levi lived alone there.
