second court house, completed 1841 commerce continued essential part of economy of pittsburgh, increasingly, manufacture began grow in importance. pittsburgh located in middle of 1 of productive coalfields in country; region rich in petroleum, natural gas, lumber, , farm goods. blacksmiths forged iron implements, horse shoes nails. 1800, town, population of 1,565 persons, had on 60 shops, including general stores, bakeries, , hat , shoe shops. the 1810s critical decade in pittsburgh s growth. in 1811, first steamboat built in pittsburgh. increasingly, commerce flow upriver. war of 1812 catalyzed growth of iron city. war britain, manufacturing center of world, cut off supply of british goods, stimulating american manufacture. also, british blockade of american coast increased inland trade, goods flowed through pittsburgh 4 directions. 1815, pittsburgh producing $764k in iron; $249k in brass , tin, , $235k in glass products. when, on march 18, 1816, pittsburgh incorporated city, had take...