Author: Mark Houser
Why More People Are Moving to The Wall Street of Pittsburgh
Two blocks of historical buildings along Fourth Avenue are drawing new residents to Downtown who marvel at their opulent marble lobbies and elaborately carved stonework.
Why 1898 Was A Big Year for America, Andrew Carnegie and Pittsburgh
By 1898, Carnegie had enjoyed stupendous success since his arrival in Pittsburgh as a poor Scottish immigrant exactly 50 years before.
Party Like It’s 1898: The Pittsburgh Zoo and Kennywood Celebrate 125-Year Birthdays
Kennywood Park and the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium — both celebrating their 125th anniversaries this year — have trolley routes to thank for their origins.
This Old Pittsburgh House: The Professor’s Swan Song
Retired CMU art professor Susanne Slavick resides in an angular, Modernist home that was meant to usher in a new era of residential housing.
Best Debunkable Pittsburgh Myths
It’s true that the Golden Triangle is uniquely scenic, and it’s also true Pittsburgh has played an outsized role in the nation’s history. But while our pride is justifiable, it also can make locals a bit too gullible, particularly with these stubborn urban myths.
This Old Pittsburgh House: The Realtor’s Court On The Hill
The family of Dana and Duffy Hanna, president of Howard Hanna Financial Services, reside in the historical Norman-style estate in Fox Chapel.
Does Pittsburgh Really Have More Bridges Than Any Other City?
The myth persists — even when the President comes to town.
Why the “Mushroom House” is Rooted in Pittsburgh History
Designed by noted local architect Frederick Scheibler Jr., the home along Beechwood Boulevard has a notable rounded roof that makes it resemble the fungi.
What’s The Skinny on the World’s Skinniest Commercial Building?
The future and preservation of this Pittsburgh icon is secure, thanks to a pending sale to PNC Bank.
Pittsburgh MultiStories: The Beacon’s Perch – The Grant Building
When it opened in 1929 as the city’s tallest structure, crowds of sightseers paid a quarter to visit the rooftop observation deck of the Grant Building — named for the street, which was named for the hill, which was named for the somewhat hapless general.
This Old Pittsburgh House: The Ledge House
Designed by famed bon vivant Henry Hornbostel, the angled stone-and-brick edifice on Bigelow Boulevard is now home to an order of Catholic priests.
This Old Pittsburgh House Has a Peacock’s View on Mount Washington
The extravagant decor (and colorful history) of this turreted Grandview Avenue residence is matched only by its sweeping views.
This Old Pittsburgh House: The Dry Cleaner’s Manor
German immigrant Oswald Werner, the owner of an early (and explosive) dry-cleaning business, built this 17-room Victorian in 1890 in Highland Park.
The Secrets of 10 Pittsburgh Landmarks
Here is a look at some of the surprising, behind-the-scenes details of how the Steel City gained some of its unique features.
The Physicist and the Fairytale House
Noted scientist Rae Stiening grew up in the fanciful Tudor-style home in Mt. Lebanon that features a turret as well as a 6-foot stained glass window of D’Artagnan.
This Old Pittsburgh House: A Great Day at Vineacre
The site of many gatherings throughout the years, a bucolic estate in Edgeworth was once home to composer Ethelbert Nevin.
Meet the People Working to Preserve Pittsburgh
As Pittsburgh has grown and developed, new buildings have emerged throughout the city. But we haven’t ignored our past or demolished it entirely. Meet the visionaries who have argued that historic preservation does not impede progress.
This Old Pittsburgh House: It’s ‘So Unusual’
A historic row house in Deutschtown preserves the past — and adds kitschy touches.
National Negro Opera Co. Birthplace on Endangered List
National Trust recognizes importance of Homewood historic house.
This Old Pittsburgh House: Mayor’s Mission
The mayor of Thornburg lives in a Mission Revival house that bears a striking resemblance to a former restaurant chain.
This Old Pittsburgh House: Pride in Their Roots
Lovingly restored, a stately red-brick victorian on the North Side once was a doctor’s practice.
6 Important Buildings from Pittsburgh’s Black History
Despite efforts to preserve noteworthy African American architectural sites, many continue to deteriorate.
Reviving History: The Fight for the Old Stone Tavern
The building originally operated as a tavern, tollhouse and inn on the Washington Pike. It had served patrons for more than 220 years before closing in 2008.
This Old Pittsburgh House: Hidden in Plain Sight
A trio of houses on Troy Hill comes with an undercover history, including two buildings with unexpected interiors.
A Bureaucratic Boondoggle and an Unexpected Flight
Delays in completing the “Bridge to Nowhere” led to a bizarre — but, shockingly, harmless — accident.
Top Pittsburgh Suburbs
With 127 suburban communities in Allegheny County as well as the popular bedroom communities of Murrysville and Cranberry and Peters townships, deciding which one is right for you can be daunting. To help you choose, we break it down by the numbers.
Why Edgeworth is Pittsburgh’s Best Affluent Suburb
The borough takes its name from a school for girls established in the 1830s, and other historic echoes can be found if one knows where to look.
Why Murrysville is Pittsburgh’s Best Traditional Neighborhood
Low property taxes, excellent schools, safe neighborhoods and an expanding selection of new housing help account for the first-place finish of this sprawling suburb in Westmoreland County.
Why Harrison is Pittsburgh’s Most Affordable Suburb
Short commutes, good housing priced right plus neighborhood amenities and safe streets, make Harrison Township the top Affordable Suburb in this year’s rankings.
This Old Pittsburgh House: The Odd Fairytale House on Route 28
A renowned architect’s fantasy project in Aspinwall needs a new owner.
Why These 6 Days in 1969 Were So Important to Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Magazine is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, but we're not the only ones. We take a look at six notable events from 1969.
Scenic Pittsburgh: What Makes the 'Burgh Beautiful?
Scenic Pittsburgh has picked up the mantle of a century-old fight atop Mount Washington as one of the many large and small beautification battles it fights.
This Old Pittsburgh House: Built in 1803 and Still Occupied
The log cabin and church that make up part of the Depreciation Lands Museum in Hampton Township depict everyday life in the 18th century.
This Old Pittsburgh House: The Composer's House
Stephen Foster was born at 3600 Penn Ave., which later, in a musical connection, was owned by the founder of the American Wind Symphony Orchestra.
This Old Pittsburgh House: A Ghost in the Library
It's said that the mischievous spirit of Amanda Bayne Balph still haunts the red brick Victorian home in Bellevue.
MultiStories: Three Times a Bust – The German National Bank
The bank was at the center of a corruption scandal which eventually led to an overhaul of Pittsburgh city government.
MultiStories: Pittsburgh's Art Deco Obelisk – The Gulf Building
As the Gulf Building rose into Pittsburgh skyline in the early 1930s, the prospects of its owner were headed in the opposite direction.
MultiStories: The Violent Beginning of Union Station
Pittsburgh's Union Station – built after its predecessor was destroyed in a deadly labor dispute – nearly succumbed to the wrecking ball in 1966.
Ranking Pittsburgh's Suburbs: The Raw Data
Want to dig further into our research? You can compare where you live to all 131 suburbs using 27 different criteria.
Which is Pittsburgh's Best Traditional Suburb?
A traditional suburb is considered those with a 2017 median home sale price between 100,000 and $250,000.
Which is Pittsburgh's Best Affluent Suburb?
An affluent suburb is one with a 2017 median home price of $250,000 or more.
Which is Pittsburgh's Best Affordable Suburb?
An affordable suburb is one with a 2017 median home sale price below $100,000.
Ranking Pittsburgh's Suburbs: Which is the Safest?
Using data from the Pennsylvania State Police, this category ranks a two-year average of reported incidents of criminal homicide, sex-related offenses, robbery, assault, property offenses, and drug and alcohol-related crimes. For assault, property crimes and drug and alcohol crimes, numbers are converted to a ratio per 100,000 population so as not to penalize larger communities that have correspondingly more incidents.
Ranking Pittsburgh's Suburbs: Where Is it Easiest to Get Around?
Rankings are based on average reported commute time to work, as well as how many residents walk to their jobs. County crash statistics per mile of road give a measure of how safe local streets are. A bonus point is awarded to communities served by a T stop, and/or along the route of the Three Rivers Heritage or Montour trails.
Ranking Pittsburgh's Suburbs: Which has the Best Schools?
Communities are graded by their public school district (private schools are not part of the rankings) according to students’ average math and verbal SAT scores, how many Advanced Placement courses are offered, the presence or absence of full-day kindergarten and the school tax millage.
Ranking Pittsburgh's Suburbs: Which has the Best Neighborhood?
Higher scores go to places with a larger share of adults holding college degrees, as well as suburbs with more children. This category also ranks political engagement, the number of residents moving into the suburb within the last year, how many acres are shaded by trees and the presence of a coffee shop.
Ranking Pittsburgh's Suburbs: Which has the Best Housing?
Ratings in this category compare age of homes, how much the median sale price of a home has changed over five years, the property tax millage and the percent of home ownership verses rental units.
This Old Pittsburgh House: Concert on Amberson Avenue
The brown brick, Queen Anne-style home in Shadyside is as rich in history as it is in music.
