Pittsburgh’s Industrial Heritage, Three Rivers, and Museums Reflect the City’s Past Success and Promising Future
For most of the 19th and 20th century, Pittsburgh was one of America’s ten largest cities with a leading role in the country’s industrial production, capital investment, and manufacturing base. By 1970, dozens of national corporations such as United States Steel, Westinghouse and Heinz had Pittsburgh headquarters and the population of Allegheny County had grown to over 1.6 million people. Eventually, the city’s reliance on heavy industry and mounting pollution problems left it vulnerable to modern technologies and international competition, and the Pittsburgh area was left behind like other cities in the Rust Belt.
Despite urban decay and a large decrease in manufacturing jobs, the strengths of the community such as its industrial heritage, riverfront areas, respected health care providers, and philanthropic institutions created the foundation for the city gradual revitalization in the 21st century. The population of Allegheny County has now stabilized and is showing modest growth in some areas for the first time in years. Technology companies and green environmental companies that once shunned the region have established offices in business parks and other locations in and around the city.
There are many different experiences that visitors can enjoy during a trip to Pittsburgh. Here are four to start with:
Explore the Historic Roots of the City
Exploring the historic roots of Pittsburgh is like exploring the history of America. In 1753, a young officer in the Virginia militia, George Washington, viewed some woodlands at the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers and recorded his impressions. Washington’s training as a surveyor and a military strategist led him to suggest the area was an ideal location for a future fort. Within a few years, the British military and their French rivals had both attempted to build fortifications there to control access to and future development of the Ohio River valley. The British prevailed, and so in 1759, they constructed a permanent fort and a small settlement called Fort Pitt which ironically later became the western headquarters of Washington’s Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. The Fort Pitt Museum which opened in 1969 “tells the story of Western Pennsylvania’s pivotal role during the French & Indian War, the American revolution, and as the birthplace of Pittsburgh through interactive exhibitions, life like figures, and 18th century artifacts.” The reconstructed bastion of the Fort and some other exhibits are in the center of the city at Point State Park. Several times each year, historic groups recreate notable events and battles that took place there.
As the young United States grew and expanded to the west in the 1800s, Pittsburgh was one of the places that emerged as a center of commerce. Boat building was one of the first industries to emerge in Pittsburgh as ample timber supplies in local forests provided the raw material for the construction of the keelboats and flatboats needed to access the interior waterways of the new nation. Lewis and Clark began their famous expedition to the Pacific on Pittsburgh keelboats. The next great industry to develop in Pittsburgh were the iron works, foundries, and steel plants of the industrial revolution. Pittsburgh companies had access to unlimited coal resources and knowledge of modern steel making processes. They used these resources to supply the increasing demands of U.S. railroads for steel rails and to supply the Union forces with armaments during the Civil War. The Senator John Heinz History Center is one place that explores the development of these industries and the various groups of people that settled in the area and worked to make Pittsburgh an industrial center. Another way to experience the area’s industrial history is to visit the office of the Rivers of Steel organization. Rivers of Steel is a non-profit which conducts walking and riverboat tours of historic industrial sites used by the steel industry such as the huge Carrie Blast Furnaces, the Young & Sons Foundry and Machine Shop, and the historic Munhall Pump House.
Experience the Views and Restaurants of Mt. Washington
Just across the water from Pittsburgh Point, the land rises 367 feet to a promontory known as Mount Washington. The summit and parking areas for Mt. Washington are accessible by driving up Interstate 376 or Saw Mill Run Boulevard. However, most people reach the top by taking either the Duquesne Incline or the Monongahela Inline cable cars for a $3.50 roundtrip fare. These two funiculars were installed in the 1870s to take riders up the side of the hill quickly and efficiently. Both inclines provide excellent views of the river and city below. The Duquesne Incline stops at a special viewing platform known as the Grandview Overlook, while the Monongahela Incline station takes you up to Grandview Avenue which is full of interesting shops and fine dining restaurants with panoramic views of Pittsburgh. Mt. Washington has been a popular destination for years for visitors, but locals also enjoy the relaxation and recreation opportunities there such as a new city park called Emerald View.
Visit the Cultural Museums of the City
Many cities have museums and cultural centers that display art, science, and other items of cultural interest. Due to the incredible philanthropy of Andrew Carnegie, Andrew Mellon, and the Heinz family, Pittsburgh has world class museums along with universities and hospitals blessed with substantial endowments. One such institution is the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. This quality facility features changing exhibits but is best known for its dinosaur models and bone specimens, replicas of dozens of wild animal specimens, Egyptian artifacts, and interactive learning areas for children. Admission to the Natural History facility comes with free access to the adjacent Carnegie Art Museum where works by leading masters and a gallery of French impressionist artists are key attractions. When you add in the 186,000 square foot Carnegie Science Center and its interactive displays and four-story theater, and the Andy Warhol Museum celebrating the art and film works of that Pittsburgh native Avant Garde artist, there is an abundance of available activities for culture and education.
Enjoy the Riverfront Amenities and Sports Stadiums
Access to the riverfront in Pittsburgh is blocked in some places by expressways, parking areas and old industrial buildings. But fortunately, large segments of the downtown on both sides of the Allegheny River have been opened up over the years. Wide pedestrian walkways, boat moorings, recreations facilities, and parks have been added in this area. At the Point, the State Park serves as the outdoor event center for the community. On the 4th of July weekend and during other community festivals, the grounds and plazas of this area are filled with families and visitors enjoying picnics, listening to music groups, watching the huge fountain spew water, sampling the food of local vendors, and tying up their boats.
Pittsburgh’s sports stadiums add to the excitement along the riverfront and downtown areas. The Pittsburgh Steelers have won a record six Super Bowls and game day at Arcature Field is still a big event in Pittsburgh. Next door at PNC Field, fans can enjoy a view of the cityscape and the river from most seats in the stadium and root for the hometown Pirates. Fans attending games at either venue have ready access to the hotels, shops, and restaurants of the city downtown by walking across bridges that connect the two sides of the river.
Other Things to Do – There are many other things to do in and around Pittsburgh which make it worth exploring. A few miles away is the Kennywood Amusement Park, an old-fashioned amusement center that dates back more than a century. Kennywood has a mix of old-fashioned stunt shows, thrill rides and kiddie activities.