Sydney Steel Museum

Discover the rich history of the Sydney Steel Plant through our virtual museum. Here, you will find an extensive collection of information, pictures, poems, songs, and literature that tell the story of steelmaking in Sydney, Nova Scotia.

For over a century, steelmaking was a cornerstone of Cape Breton’s history. Although the Sydney Steel Plant is no longer operational, its impact endures through the diverse cultures of the island and the captivating stories and songs of the steelworkers’ lives.

Join us on a journey that delves into the steelmaking process and explores the cultural heritage of Cape Breton. Established by the Steel Plant Museum Committee, this website serves to preserve and share the rich legacy and history of the Sydney Steel Plant.

History

Gallery

Education

Resources

IRON INSIGHTS ON THE STEEL CITY

Did you know?

Fact 1

In 1899 the Dominion Iron & Steel Company commenced construction of Sydney's first steel mill.

Fact 2

The Sydney Steel Plant operated for over a century until its' closure in 2000.

Fact 3

The main product of the steel plant was rails.

Fact 4

In 1899, an American businessman and promoter named Henry M. Whitney formed a consortium with the intention of constructing an integrated steel plant at Sydney, N.S.

Fact 5

The construction of Disco began in 1900 and finished in late 1901. It was the most modern steel plant in the world.

Fact 6

Construction of the plant finished late in 1901 and the first steel was produced on Dec. 31, 1901.

Fact 7

At the same time as the construction of the Sydney plan, another steel plant was constructed in Sydney Mines by the Nova Scotia Steel and Coal Company, (Scotia).

Fact 8

The Scotia plant in Sydney Mines was a basic iron and steel producer feeding its finishing mills to New Glasgow, N.S.

Fact 9

The Memorial Monument at the United Steel-Workers of America Building commemorates the lives lost at the Sydney Steel Plant.

Fact 10

Ten 50-ton Open Hearth furnaces of the tilting variety gave Disco the most advanced steel making process of the day.

Fact 11

The monument displays the names of over three hundred employees who lost their lives during the Sydney Steel Plant’s century of operation.

Fact 12

After the Steel Plant became a crown corporation in 1968 safety improved greatly and loss of life dropped to the lowest numbers in history.

Fact 13

The steel plant at Sydney Mines was built to feed the Trenton Works of the Nova Scotia Steel and Coal Corporation (SCOTIA)

Fact 14

The Sydney Mines Plant was about one third the size of the plant constructed simultaneously by Disco at Sydney.

Fact 15

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip visited the Sydney Steel Plant twice in the 50's. On her first visit in 1951 she was still Princess Elizabeth.

Fact 16

During the boom years, the Sydney Steel Plant produced over half of Canada's Steel

Fact 17

In 1989 the last iron was produced at the blast furnace.

Fact 18

Today the making of steel has not changed significantly since the 1800's

The Legacy of The Steel City