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History of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Journey back in time to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Explore Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA! Uncover its rich history and discover the stories of the people who once called it home. Dive into old newspaper articles, vintage pictures, postcards, and genealogy to learn more about this fascinating town.Do You Have Pittsburgh Ancestry? Share YOUR Family Story!
In 1909 the first baseball stadium was built in Pittsburgh.
In 1913 the first automobile service station opened in Pittsburgh.
The Liberty Tunnel in Pittsburgh opened in 1924. At that time the 5,700 foot facility was the longest artificially ventilated automobile tunnel in the world.
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Pittsburgh Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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Union Station, PA. R.R. Pittsburgh, Pa.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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Acidine
Health Laboratories Inc, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Found at The Way It Was Museum, Virginia City, Nevada
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1890s
Heinz's Keystone Brand Sweet Pickles
Pittsburgh, Penn.
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Granite Iron Ware
Kitchen and Table Use
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Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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Removing the Hump, Pittsburgh, Pa.
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City County Building, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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Boat House, Carnegie Lake, Highland Park, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Discover Unique Gift Ideas and Genealogy Resources From or Related to PITTSBURGH
PENNSYLVANIA - My Ancestors Came from Pennsylvania Mug – Funny Genealogy Coffee Cup for Cheesesteak, Pretzel & Pierogi Lovers
Celebrate your Pennsylvania roots with a mug that’s as witty as it is true! This high-quality ceramic coffee mug features the hilarious caption: "My ancestors came from Pennsylvania. That explains a lot about my love for cheesesteak, soft pretzels and pierogi hoarding!" Perfect for genealogy enthusiasts, history buffs, or anyone who proudly embraces their Keystone State heritage.
Discover Pittsburgh: History, News, Travel, and Stories
1845 - ANOTHER DISASTROUS FIRE IN PITTSBURG ! SIXTY TO SEVENTY HOUSES IN ASHES - ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY TO TWO HUNDRED FAMILIES, COMPRISING SEVEN TO NINE HUNDRED PERSONS RENDERED HOUSELESS AND HOMELESS ! !
Our city has again been the scene of another disastrous conflagration - more dreadful than the first as regards the actual suffering which will follow, although comparatively small when the amount of property is considered.
About a quarter before 9 o'clock last evening, a fire was discovered in the stable of SAMUEL YOUNG drayman, on Seventh street, a few doors below Coal lane, which soon extended to the surrounding buildings - all of which were of wood - filled with poor families, and hurling blazing cinders in every direction by turns.
Our firemen were promptly upon the ground, and worked nobly and unceasingly to arrest the destruction, but the scarceness of water and want of proper and sufficient hose, greatly impeded their efforts. Near 11 o'clock the fire was got under, and by 20 minutes past 11 all danger of farther destruction was past, although the engines were still playing when we left the ground at half past 11.
The stable in which the fire originated was about... Read MORE...
Our city has again been the scene of another disastrous conflagration - more dreadful than the first as regards the actual suffering which will follow, although comparatively small when the amount of property is considered.
About a quarter before 9 o'clock last evening, a fire was discovered in the stable of SAMUEL YOUNG drayman, on Seventh street, a few doors below Coal lane, which soon extended to the surrounding buildings - all of which were of wood - filled with poor families, and hurling blazing cinders in every direction by turns.
Our firemen were promptly upon the ground, and worked nobly and unceasingly to arrest the destruction, but the scarceness of water and want of proper and sufficient hose, greatly impeded their efforts. Near 11 o'clock the fire was got under, and by 20 minutes past 11 all danger of farther destruction was past, although the engines were still playing when we left the ground at half past 11.
The stable in which the fire originated was about... Read MORE...
1851 - Serious Love Affair
Pittsburg, 27th.
A duel took place today between two students of Jefferson College, Wm. G. Ready, of Baltimore and A. L. Snowden of Cumberland Valley, Pa. A young lady was the origination of the affair. Mr. Snowden was challenged by the former gentlemen, and chose rifles at 40 paces. Mr. J. W. Polk, of Maryland, and D. S. Brand, of Miss., acted as seconds to the parties. It is reported that one of them is seriously wounded.
Boston Evening Transcript
Boston, Massachusetts
April 28, 1851
Pittsburg, 27th.
A duel took place today between two students of Jefferson College, Wm. G. Ready, of Baltimore and A. L. Snowden of Cumberland Valley, Pa. A young lady was the origination of the affair. Mr. Snowden was challenged by the former gentlemen, and chose rifles at 40 paces. Mr. J. W. Polk, of Maryland, and D. S. Brand, of Miss., acted as seconds to the parties. It is reported that one of them is seriously wounded.
Boston Evening Transcript
Boston, Massachusetts
April 28, 1851
1854 - Pittsburg
Pittsburg, a city, port of entry, and seat of justice of Alleghany county, Pennsylvania, is situated at the confluence of the Alleghany and Monongahela rivers, which here form the Ohio, 357 miles W. from Philadelphia ; 477 N. E. by E. from Cincinnati; 1174 E. N. E. from St. Louis, and 2025 miles N. E. from New Orleans. Lat. 40° 32' N., Lon. 80° 2' W. The site comprises the triangular plain enclosed by the Alleghany and Monongahela rivers, Grant's Hill, and several other elevations, which terminate the plain on the E. The general outline and many other features of this city bear a striking resemblance to the lower part of New York. Along the Monongahela the streets were laid out at right angles to each other, and extend either parallel or perpendicular to the river. The same plan was also adopted on the Alleghany side, by which arrangement the cross streets meet obliquely a few squares S. from the latter stream. The space included within these limits was found insufficient to meet the... Read MORE...
Pittsburg, a city, port of entry, and seat of justice of Alleghany county, Pennsylvania, is situated at the confluence of the Alleghany and Monongahela rivers, which here form the Ohio, 357 miles W. from Philadelphia ; 477 N. E. by E. from Cincinnati; 1174 E. N. E. from St. Louis, and 2025 miles N. E. from New Orleans. Lat. 40° 32' N., Lon. 80° 2' W. The site comprises the triangular plain enclosed by the Alleghany and Monongahela rivers, Grant's Hill, and several other elevations, which terminate the plain on the E. The general outline and many other features of this city bear a striking resemblance to the lower part of New York. Along the Monongahela the streets were laid out at right angles to each other, and extend either parallel or perpendicular to the river. The same plan was also adopted on the Alleghany side, by which arrangement the cross streets meet obliquely a few squares S. from the latter stream. The space included within these limits was found insufficient to meet the... Read MORE...
1871 - Pittsburgh Factories
Pittsburgh has thirty-two iron, nine steel, and two copper mills.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
January 14, 1871
Pittsburgh has thirty-two iron, nine steel, and two copper mills.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
January 14, 1871
1877 - First national strike in U.S. began in Pittsburgh against Pennsylvania Railroad
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ patimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ patimeln.htm
1889 - The Monongahela river coal works near Pittsburgh, Pa., resumed work on the 9th after a shut down of a week's duration, giving employment to six thousand men.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
April 13, 1889
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
April 13, 1889
1893 - The Ferris Wheel was invented by the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania bridge-builder George Washington Gale Ferris Jr. (1859-1896) . The first Ferris wheel was opened on June 21, 1893 at the Chicago World's Fair.
This Ferris wheel was 250 feet tall (the diameter of the wheel) - this is about the height of a 25 story building! It had 36 wooden cars that could each seat 40 people, and hold another 20 standing people plus a conductor. Each car was 27 feet long, 13 feet wide, and 9 feet tall. A total of 2000 people could ride the wheel at one time. The wheel was powered by two 1,000 horsepower engines and weighed over 4,000 tons. It cost 50 cents per ride. This same Ferris wheel was later used at the St. Louis exposition in 1904, but was scrapped in 1906.
www.enchantedlearning.com/ inventors/ us.shtml
This Ferris wheel was 250 feet tall (the diameter of the wheel) - this is about the height of a 25 story building! It had 36 wooden cars that could each seat 40 people, and hold another 20 standing people plus a conductor. Each car was 27 feet long, 13 feet wide, and 9 feet tall. A total of 2000 people could ride the wheel at one time. The wheel was powered by two 1,000 horsepower engines and weighed over 4,000 tons. It cost 50 cents per ride. This same Ferris wheel was later used at the St. Louis exposition in 1904, but was scrapped in 1906.
www.enchantedlearning.com/ inventors/ us.shtml
1895 - Pittsburgh
Pittsburg, or Pittsburgh, a city and the capital of Alleghany co., Pa., and a port of delivery, is 354 miles W. by N. of Philadelphia, # miles S. of Erie, and 193 miles E. of Columbus. Lat. 40° 26' 34" N.; lon. 80° 2'38" W. Within the angle formed by the rivers Alleghany and Monongahela where they meet and give birth to the Ohio (the three rivers forming a water-line which, viewed from the W., resembles a letter Y, except that the Ohio trends some what to the N.) lies the original Pittsburg, the inner point being the site of the old Fort Du Quesne of the French, later of Fort Pitt, the nucleus of the city; looking inland from the point the land widens rapidly and at the same time rises slowly, but quite perceptibly, from the high-water level to an elevation of from 400 to 500 feet. Mostly upon this slope lies the closely-built-up portion of the city, with river-frontage on both the N.W. and the S.W., extending about 8 miles, with but a slight inclination northward in the Alleghany... Read MORE...
Pittsburg, or Pittsburgh, a city and the capital of Alleghany co., Pa., and a port of delivery, is 354 miles W. by N. of Philadelphia, # miles S. of Erie, and 193 miles E. of Columbus. Lat. 40° 26' 34" N.; lon. 80° 2'38" W. Within the angle formed by the rivers Alleghany and Monongahela where they meet and give birth to the Ohio (the three rivers forming a water-line which, viewed from the W., resembles a letter Y, except that the Ohio trends some what to the N.) lies the original Pittsburg, the inner point being the site of the old Fort Du Quesne of the French, later of Fort Pitt, the nucleus of the city; looking inland from the point the land widens rapidly and at the same time rises slowly, but quite perceptibly, from the high-water level to an elevation of from 400 to 500 feet. Mostly upon this slope lies the closely-built-up portion of the city, with river-frontage on both the N.W. and the S.W., extending about 8 miles, with but a slight inclination northward in the Alleghany... Read MORE...
1895 - Blizzard - THE STORM STILL HOVERS OVER THE UNITED STATES. IT IS SEVEREST IN THE EAST. TRAFFIC ALMOST ENTIRELY AT A STANDSTILL -- RAILROAD TRAINS BLOCKADED -- BUSINESS PARALYZED -- PEOPLE FROZEN TO DEATH AT SEVERAL PLACES...
...In Pittsburg.
Pittsburg, Feb. 9. - The weather is growing colder and the local weather office has issued a bulletin predicting the worst blizzard for years in this section. Railroad and streetcar traffic is seriously impeded, all through trains being late. The supply of natural gas is very short. The police rescued 10 persons from freezing last night and took them to the station houses...
The Delphos Daily Herald
Delphos, Ohio
February 9, 1895
...In Pittsburg.
Pittsburg, Feb. 9. - The weather is growing colder and the local weather office has issued a bulletin predicting the worst blizzard for years in this section. Railroad and streetcar traffic is seriously impeded, all through trains being late. The supply of natural gas is very short. The police rescued 10 persons from freezing last night and took them to the station houses...
The Delphos Daily Herald
Delphos, Ohio
February 9, 1895
1900 - PITTSBURG BUILDING FALLS. THREE KILLED AND SIX BADLY INJURED BY THE COLLAPSE OF A BUSINESS STRUCTURE.
Pittsburg, April 12. - Without warning and with a rush and a roar, the four-story brick building at the corner of Second Avenue and Wood Street, collapsed to-day, burying in its ruins a number of people, three of whom were taken out dead, six badly hurt, and several others slightly injured.
The dead are: MRS. MARTHA JONES, sixty-four years old, of 511 Second Avenue; EUGENE BERNHARDT, twenty-nine years old, of 1,708 Manhattan Street, Allegheny, salesman for Armstrong and McKelvy Company, and OSCAR BIGLER, a carpenter, whose home is supposed to be hear Harrisburg.
Among the injured is: NOEL CASPER of Ellsworth, sales agent for Armstrong and McKelvy Company; his leg is broken, and he is badly bruised.
The building was occupied by the Armstrong-McKelvy Lead and Oil Company. It was being remodeled by McGOVERN & LYTTLE, contractors, who were converting the lower floors of the corner store and that next door into one large room, which was to have been occupied by the lead company.... Read MORE...
Pittsburg, April 12. - Without warning and with a rush and a roar, the four-story brick building at the corner of Second Avenue and Wood Street, collapsed to-day, burying in its ruins a number of people, three of whom were taken out dead, six badly hurt, and several others slightly injured.
The dead are: MRS. MARTHA JONES, sixty-four years old, of 511 Second Avenue; EUGENE BERNHARDT, twenty-nine years old, of 1,708 Manhattan Street, Allegheny, salesman for Armstrong and McKelvy Company, and OSCAR BIGLER, a carpenter, whose home is supposed to be hear Harrisburg.
Among the injured is: NOEL CASPER of Ellsworth, sales agent for Armstrong and McKelvy Company; his leg is broken, and he is badly bruised.
The building was occupied by the Armstrong-McKelvy Lead and Oil Company. It was being remodeled by McGOVERN & LYTTLE, contractors, who were converting the lower floors of the corner store and that next door into one large room, which was to have been occupied by the lead company.... Read MORE...
1901 - April 20 - Pittsburgh PA established April snow records of 12.7 inches in 24 hours, and 13.5 inches for the month.
The Weather Channel
The Weather Channel
1903 - October 1 – The first modern World Series in North American baseball, pitting the National League's Pittsburgh Pirates against Boston of the American League, begins at Pittsburgh's Exposition Park.
wikipedia.org
October 1, 1903
wikipedia.org
October 1, 1903
1905 - The first all-motion-picture theater in the world was opened on Smithfield Street in Pittsburgh on June 19, 1905, by John P. Harris and Harry Davis
www.ereferencedesk.com/ resources/ state-facts/ pennsylvania.html
www.ereferencedesk.com/ resources/ state-facts/ pennsylvania.html
1906
Pittsburg, or Pittsburgh, a city and the capital of Allegheny oo., Pa., and a port of entry, is 260 miles (direct) W. by N. of Philadelphia, on the Pennsylvania, the Baltimore and Ohio and other railroads. Lat. 40° 26' N. ; Ion. 80° 2' W. Within the angle formed by the Alleghany and Monongahela rivers where they meet and give birth to the Ohio lies the original Pittsburg, the inner point being the site of the old Fort Duquesne of the French, and of the later Fort Pitt, the nucleus of the city. The greater part of the closely built-up portion of the city, with river-frontage on both the NW. and the SW. extending over several miles, lies on the flat river-tongue and the gradually ascending slopes, which ultimately attain elevations of 400-500 feet. Until 1872 the city was bounded by the two rivers, but during that year it crossed the SW. boundary by the annexation of the extensive manufacturing district formerly comprised in the boroughs of Temperanceville, Union, West Pittsburg,... Read MORE...
Pittsburg, or Pittsburgh, a city and the capital of Allegheny oo., Pa., and a port of entry, is 260 miles (direct) W. by N. of Philadelphia, on the Pennsylvania, the Baltimore and Ohio and other railroads. Lat. 40° 26' N. ; Ion. 80° 2' W. Within the angle formed by the Alleghany and Monongahela rivers where they meet and give birth to the Ohio lies the original Pittsburg, the inner point being the site of the old Fort Duquesne of the French, and of the later Fort Pitt, the nucleus of the city. The greater part of the closely built-up portion of the city, with river-frontage on both the NW. and the SW. extending over several miles, lies on the flat river-tongue and the gradually ascending slopes, which ultimately attain elevations of 400-500 feet. Until 1872 the city was bounded by the two rivers, but during that year it crossed the SW. boundary by the annexation of the extensive manufacturing district formerly comprised in the boroughs of Temperanceville, Union, West Pittsburg,... Read MORE...
1909 - The first baseball stadium was built in Pittsburgh.
www.ereferencedesk.com/ resources/ state-facts/ pennsylvania.html
www.ereferencedesk.com/ resources/ state-facts/ pennsylvania.html
1909 - The Baseball World Series won by Pittsburgh Pirates.
1913 - In 1913 the first automobile service station opened in Pittsburgh.
www.ereferencedesk.com/ resources/ state-facts/ pennsylvania.html
www.ereferencedesk.com/ resources/ state-facts/ pennsylvania.html
1924 - The Liberty Tunnel in Pittsburgh opened . At that time the 5,700 foot facility was the longest artificially ventilated automobile tunnel in the world.
www.ereferencedesk.com/ resources/ state-facts/ pennsylvania.html
www.ereferencedesk.com/ resources/ state-facts/ pennsylvania.html
1927 - March 11 - 1st armored commercial car hold-up in US, Pittsburgh
The first armored car robbery is committed by the Flatheads Gang near Pittsburgh.
historyorb.com
March 11, 1927
The first armored car robbery is committed by the Flatheads Gang near Pittsburgh.
historyorb.com
March 11, 1927
1931 - 30 DEAD, 20 MISSING MANY HURT IN PITTSBURGH FIRE. FEARED SHOCK WILL COST LIVES OF SURVIVORS IN HOME FOR THE AGED.
Six of Missing Are Volunteer Rescue Workers - 80 Year Old Survivor Tells of Dropping to Knees and "Praying to God" - 250 Inmates in Building When Fire States - Heroism of Mother Superior Praised - Most of the Inmates All But Helpless Before the Fire - Origin of Flames Undetermined.
Pittsburgh, July 24 - (AP) - Thirty persons were known to be dead, twenty were missing and more than 100 were in hospitals after a fire had destroyed the home for the aged of the Little Sisters of the Poor here tonight.
Most of the dead were aged and infirm inmates of the home which was located at the corner of South Aiken and Penn avenues, in the East End district.
The fire which apparently started in the lower part of the building near the institution's morgue, was first sighted by a nearby resident who turned in the alarm. Six alarms were sounded in rapid succession as the seriousness of the situation was discerned, and firemen and police were called from all parts of the city.
250 Inmates In ... Read MORE...
Six of Missing Are Volunteer Rescue Workers - 80 Year Old Survivor Tells of Dropping to Knees and "Praying to God" - 250 Inmates in Building When Fire States - Heroism of Mother Superior Praised - Most of the Inmates All But Helpless Before the Fire - Origin of Flames Undetermined.
Pittsburgh, July 24 - (AP) - Thirty persons were known to be dead, twenty were missing and more than 100 were in hospitals after a fire had destroyed the home for the aged of the Little Sisters of the Poor here tonight.
Most of the dead were aged and infirm inmates of the home which was located at the corner of South Aiken and Penn avenues, in the East End district.
The fire which apparently started in the lower part of the building near the institution's morgue, was first sighted by a nearby resident who turned in the alarm. Six alarms were sounded in rapid succession as the seriousness of the situation was discerned, and firemen and police were called from all parts of the city.
250 Inmates In ... Read MORE...
May 25, 1935: At Forbes Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Babe Ruth hit the 714th, and last, home run of his career
The Old Farmer's Almanac www.almanac.com
May 25, 1935
The Old Farmer's Almanac www.almanac.com
May 25, 1935
1936 - March 17 – March 18 – St. Patrick's Day Flood: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, suffers the worst flooding in its history.
wikipedia.org
March 18, 1936
wikipedia.org
March 18, 1936
1950 - November 25-26 - Storm produced record snowfall totals of 27.7 inches at Pittsburgh PA
The Weather Channel
The Weather Channel
1953 - Dr. Jonas Salk, University of Pittsburg, announced successful testing of polio vaccine
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ patimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ patimeln.htm
Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Pittsburgh:
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens: Explore this beautiful oasis in the heart of the city, featuring a stunning array of gardens and a breathtaking greenhouse. It's a perfect place to unwind and connect with nature.
The Andy Warhol Museum: As the birthplace of the iconic artist Andy Warhol, Pittsburgh boasts a museum dedicated to his life and work. You can explore his famous pop art pieces, including the Campbell's Soup Cans.
Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History: These museums, located in the Oakland neighborhood, offer a wide range of art and natural history exhibits. From the works of classic masters to dinosaur fossils, there's something for everyone.
Heinz History Center: If you're interested in the history of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania, this is the place to be. The center features interactive exhibits and artifacts that bring the region's history to life.
The Strip District: This bustling neighborhood is a food lover's paradise. You can find... Read MORE...
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens: Explore this beautiful oasis in the heart of the city, featuring a stunning array of gardens and a breathtaking greenhouse. It's a perfect place to unwind and connect with nature.
The Andy Warhol Museum: As the birthplace of the iconic artist Andy Warhol, Pittsburgh boasts a museum dedicated to his life and work. You can explore his famous pop art pieces, including the Campbell's Soup Cans.
Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History: These museums, located in the Oakland neighborhood, offer a wide range of art and natural history exhibits. From the works of classic masters to dinosaur fossils, there's something for everyone.
Heinz History Center: If you're interested in the history of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania, this is the place to be. The center features interactive exhibits and artifacts that bring the region's history to life.
The Strip District: This bustling neighborhood is a food lover's paradise. You can find... Read MORE...
Discover YOUR Roots: Pittsburgh Ancestry
Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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