history pittsburgh history pittsburgh began centuries native american civilization modern pittsburgh region eventually french british explorers encountered strategic confluence meet form ohio leads mississippi_river area france britain fought control british victorious french ceded control territories east mississippi following american independence village fort continued grow region saw short lived farmers rebelled federal taxes whiskey war cut supply british goods american manufacture pittsburgh producing large quantities iron brass tin glass products 1840s pittsburgh grown largest cities west production steel began railway riots site violence damage city affected workers protested cuts wages burning buildings including train engines cars men killed pittsburgh producing half nation steel pittsburgh republican party stronghold soaring unemployment great depression new deal relief programs rise powerful labor unions 1930s turned city liberal stronghold powerful democratic world war center producing munitions allied war effort prosperity returned following world war pittsburgh launched clean air civic project known renaissance industrial base continued expand 1960s foreign competition led collapse steel industry massive mill corporate headquarters moved 1980s city lost status major transportation hub population pittsburgh metropolitan area holding steady million white minority native american era thousands years native americans inhabited region join form ohio indians conducted hunter lifestyle region early years ago archaeological site west pittsburgh provides evidence americans lived region date culture followed erected large future site miles head ohio burial site augmented later years members culture nations based south great lakes present day new_york held dominion upper ohio valley hunting grounds tribes included known english delaware displaced eastern pennsylvania european settlement migrated south arrival european explorers tribes devastated european infectious diseases smallpox malaria immunity visited miles pittsburgh counted warriors gathered included tribes town tribe village east bank home village deserted mouth delaware settlement principal residence chief theirs town town established village estimated residents early colonization europeans arrived traders describe ohio manuscript later year european traders established posts settlements area europeans began settle region english land speculation company won grant acres upper ohio valley post present day cumberland maryland company began construct mile wagon road employing delaware indian chief named party settlers headed begin widening track road followed route ancient trail known trail river crossing flats creek earliest point shortest distance descent wagon road later war site fortified possible destinations alternative route years later present day new event colonists succeed improving path wagon road cumberland narrows pass confronted hostile native americans colonists later mounted series expeditions order accomplish improvements track french built nearby trade council center native americans increase influence june november expedition headed french officer traveled ohio bolster french claim region warned away english traders posted markers claiming territory governor new france sent larger expedition present day pennsylvania advance party built isle cut road woods built fort possible high water float summer expedition french native american men descended confluence following year built fort site alarmed french incursions governor virginia sent major george_washington warn french withdraw accompanied washington arrived ohio november proceeding washington presented letter french commanders fort french officers received washington wine courtesy withdraw governor sent captain build fort ohio february trent began construction fort european site present day pittsburgh fort named fort prince george half built april french forces arrived ordered virginia french tore british fortification built fort governor launched expedition colonel commanded regiment second command george_washington leading advance column washington unit clashed french french soldiers killed taken prisoner battle washington ally chief unexpectedly executed french commanding officer ensign french pursued washington july george_washington surrendered following frontier actions contributed start french indian war seven years war imperial confrontation england france fought george_washington accompanied british general expedition regiments marched western pennsylvania following path washington surveyed men built wagon road feet wide complete road cross known way future national road expedition crossed july french troops ambushed expedition miles french inflicted heavy losses british mortally wounded surviving british colonial forces retreated left french native american allies dominion upper ohio valley september expedition destroyed village summer british general began campaign capture fort head regular colonial troops forbes built fort cut wagon road later known forbes road night september advance column major high hill east point named memory defeat forbes decided wait spring heard french lost fort largely evacuated planned immediate attack outnumbered french abandoned razed forbes occupied burned fort november ordered construction fort named british secretary state named settlement rivers etymology pittsburgh british garrison fort substantial improvements fortification french attacked fort war soon ended treaty paris french defeat ceded territories east mississippi_river gateway west considerable european settlement fort began grow traders settlers built groups houses lower town near fort upper town far present day market street april census ordered colonel counted people houses final native american attempt drive british west rebellion began assault british forts ohio valley tribes overran forts important targets fort receiving warning coming attack captain swiss officer command garrison prepared siege leveled houses outside ordered settlers fort men women children sought refuge inside captain gathered stores included hundreds barrels pork beef forces attacked fort june siege fort lasted months warriors kept continuous ineffective fire july august drew confront relieving party colonel defeated battle run victory sealed british dominion ohio entire ohio valley colonel added fort stands sole remaining structure fort oldest building west signed fort treaty lands south ohio british european expansion upper ohio valley increased estimated families settled western pennsylvania settlers english rest welsh german groups tended settle small farming communities households distance life family relentless hard work clearing forest fields building planting harvesting addition manufactured hand including furniture tools candles buttons settlers deal harsh winters snakes black bears mountain lions timber wolves fear raids native americans settlers built near springs ensure access water built neighbors rally conflicts increasing violence especially miami tribes led war conflict native americans continued american revolution hoped war end expulsion settlers territory fort united_states fort brigadier general took command colonel led men fort destroy villages upper war ongoing virginia pennsylvania came agreement mutual borders creating state lines known today determining finally jurisdiction pittsburgh region revolutionary war ended brought temporary cessation border warfare treaty fort ceded land north pennsylvania revolution village pittsburgh continued grow earliest industries boat building carry large numbers pioneers goods capable traveling village began develop vital institutions pittsburgh resident state legislator introduced bill resulted gift deed land charter february academy later developed known farmers corn harvest whiskey increasing value lowering transportation costs time whiskey form currency frontier federal government imposed tax whiskey farmers felt leading farmers region rallied marched pittsburgh short lived rebellion president george_washington sent militias states town continued grow manufacturing capability pittsburgh built sloop western experiment decades yards produced large boats 19th century building ocean going vessels shipped goods far europe town courthouse built wooden structure market square manufacture glass began commerce continued essential economy early pittsburgh increasingly manufacture began grow importance pittsburgh located middle productive country region rich petroleum natural gas lumber farm goods forged iron horse shoes nails town population persons shops including general stores hat shoe shops critical decade pittsburgh growth built pittsburgh increasingly commerce flow war growth war britain manufacturing center world cut supply british goods american manufacture british blockade american coast increased inland trade goods flowed pittsburgh directions pittsburgh producing iron brass tin glass products march pittsburgh incorporated city taken defining characteristics commerce manufacture constant cloud coal dust emerging towns challenged pittsburgh segment completed baltimore bypassing pittsburgh threatened render town essential east west commerce coming decade improvements transportation infrastructure region river bridge street bridge opened step developing city bridges rivers october original completed connecting pittsburgh eastern port city philadelphia completed making pittsburgh transportation system included rivers roads canals manufacture continued grow built locomotive west pittsburgh capable manufacturing essential machines age 1840s pittsburgh largest cities west mountains completed polished gray sandstone court house feet diameter feet high like burgeoning cities day pittsburgh growth necessary infrastructure water supply pressure april great fire burned control destroying thousand buildings causing damages city rebuilt age rails arrived ohio pennsylvania railroad began service cleveland present day north began service pittsburgh philadelphia despite challenges pittsburgh grown industrial powerhouse article provided factories pittsburgh employing workers producing goods steam engines total coal consumed total iron consumed tons steam busiest port nation surpassed new_york_city new_orleans iron steel industry developed rapidly dominant factors industrial america 1860s irish leadership examined leadership industry important center pittsburgh smaller cities concludes leadership iron steel industry nationwide largely irish finds irish held 19th century developed sense new immigrants pittsburgh major stronghold example left ireland founder famous family played central role banking industries aluminum oil finds like jones comprised scots irish presbyterian ruling pittsburgh society technology clinton iron introduced fire region american_civil_war boosted city economy increased production iron armaments especially arsenal fort arms manufacture included iron clad warships world gun war end half steel glass produced pittsburgh milestone steel production achieved began steel rail new process built fortunes pittsburgh based pittsburgh credited air brake founder companies including banks played key role pittsburgh development sought massive loans upgrade plants integrate industries fund technological advances example founded helped finance aluminum reduction company shows small independent iron steel manufacturers survived prospered 1870s 1950s despite competition larger standardized production firms smaller firms built culture valued local markets beneficial role business local community small firms concentrated specialized products particularly structural steel economies scale larger firms advantage embraced technological change larger firms antagonistic relations workers employed higher percentage highly skilled workers mass production counterparts geography beginning 1870s transformed economy small craft organized factories located inside city limits large integrated industrial region stretching miles new industrial pittsburgh based integrated mills mass production modern management organization steel industries manufacturers searched large sites railroad river accessibility purchased land designed modern plants built towns workers firms bought new communities began speculative industrial real estate ventures owners removed plants central city labor unions exert greater control workers region rugged topography dispersed natural resources coal gas dispersal rapid growth steel glass railroad equipment industries resulted large mass production plants numerous smaller firms capital deepened grew participants multiplied economies division labor increased localized production systems formed industries transportation capital labor markets division labor production bound scattered industrial plants communities metropolitan district pittsburgh district complex urban landscape dominant central city surrounded residential communities mill towns satellite cities hundreds mining towns representative new industrial suburbs model town according caught dramatic round industrial restructuring labor tension pittsburgh hired landscape architectural firm design model town believed later known welfare capitalism company going provide social needs workers believed physical environment productive workers strike apollo pennsylvania prompted build new town wanting loyal workforce developed town agenda drew popular attitudes capital treatment labor firm translated agenda urban design included unique combination social reform comprehensive infrastructure planning private principles rates relationships steel company residents fostered loyalty skilled workers led greatest success worker residents break major strike germans mid-19th century pittsburgh witnessed dramatic influx german immigrants including brick mason son founded forefront reform efforts improve food purity working conditions hours wages company opposed formation independent labor union labor unions manufacturing center pittsburgh arena intense labor strife great railroad strike pittsburgh workers protested massive demonstrations erupted widespread violence known pittsburgh railway riots militia federal troops called city suppress strike men died workers buildings burned including burned destroyed rolling stock train engines destroyed city violence affected strikes confrontation steel industry resulted deaths detectives workers manager sent break homestead strike labor strife continued years great depression workers sought protect jobs improve working conditions unions organized workers assistance immigrant scotland executive turned steel magnate founded proceeded play key role development steel industry philanthropist established library program establish libraries numerous cities towns incentive matching funds founded formed sold mills million making world richest men wrote man dies rich dies devoted rest life public service establishing libraries foundations pittsburgh founded present jail completed began operations pittsburgh annexed known early 20th century pittsburgh grown industrial commercial powerhouse vast railway system freight yards capable handling cars miles harbor yearly river traffic excess tons value factory products produced percentage national output pig iron steel open steel steel steel rails structural shapes prohibition prohibition era pittsburgh illicit alcohol consumption factors fed resistance prohibition including large immigrant population anti establishment animosity dating fragmented local government corruption pittsburgh crime family controlled significant portions illegal alcohol trade time prohibition administrator federal agents engaged raids arrested people closed regular term meaning illegal drinking establishment said coined blind pig nearby pennsylvania pittsburgh located streets closed 1920s opened closure produced large web feature period city history environment late 19th century city leaders debated responsibility expense creating system disposal sewage downstream users complained pittsburgh dumping sewage cities stop raw sewage rivers pittsburgh smoke pollution seen 1890s sign prosperity recognized problem cleared 1930s 1940s little regard beauty steel plants deposited mountains especially november people killed hundreds wounded explosion gas tank escape city wealthy lived east end neighborhoods miles east downtown fifth avenue dubbed millionaire row lining street march pittsburgh witnessed worst flood history flood levels peaking feet killed victims destroyed thousands buildings caused dollars damages work high culture oakland city predominant cultural educational center including universities multiple museums library music hall botanical oakland erected today world second tallest educational building story pittsburgh pirates played new immigrants population pittsburgh grew new residents immigrants sought employment factories mills introduced new traditions languages cultures city ethnic neighborhoods emerged densely populated valleys south home city jewish households city produce distribution center boasts restaurants clubs showcase traditions years marked largest migration african americans pittsburgh known cultural nucleus important jazz jazz pittsburgh natives played greatest rivals competed teams dominated 1930s 1940s 1930s pittsburgh republican stronghold starting 1880s republican governments provided jobs assistance new immigrants return votes great depression starting ruined city democratic victory meant end republican patronage jobs assistance depression worsened pittsburgh voted heavily democrats especially making city stronghold democratic programs relief jobs especially popular large majority voted democrats statewide leader democrats local lieutenant gained control federal patronage pittsburgh roosevelt landslide election democratic mayor lawrence new deal programs increase political power build democratic machine superseded decaying republican machine acknowledged high rate people relief challenge opportunity regarded relief job democratic patronage 1940s pittsburgh center provided steel aluminum munitions machinery allies world war pittsburgh mills contributed million tons steel war effort postwar democrat served mayor pittsburgh pennsylvania governor lawrence political power transform pittsburgh political machine modern governmental unit run city honestly lawrence decided enforce believed smoke crucial city future economic development enforcement placed substantial burden city working class coal expensive round protests came italian american organizations called delay enforcing enforcement raised cost living threatened jobs relatives nearby coal mines despite dislike smoke program italian americans strongly supported reelection lawrence city payroll renaissance rich productive pittsburgh city thick burned day rivers resembled open civic leaders notably mayor elected chairman began smoke control urban known projects transformed city ways renaissance began title housing act provided means begin vast buildings land near point demolished saw opening demolished greater pittsburgh municipal airport terminal late 1950s early 1960s lower area inhabited predominantly people african descent completely destroyed ninety acres lower cleared eminent domain forcibly displacing hundreds small businesses people black families white room cultural center included civic arena opened apartment building buildings planned cultural center built early 1960s neighborhood included plans acres km2 neighborhood demolished replaced garden apartments story public housing apartments convoluted road way system shopping district span years mid-1960s east liberty neighborhood businesses preservation efforts community neighborhood groups resisted demolition plans neighborhoods containing rich architectural heritage including mexican war streets manchester spared center culturally socially important buildings lucky buildings exception destroyed replaced center mall apartments city industrial base continued grow post war era partly assisted area agency entirely devoted industrial development jones expanded plant new division companies continued robust operations 1960s marked completion final building projects renaissance rivers stadium addition fountain tip golden triangle completed air quality dramatically improved pittsburgh manufacturing base solid questions negative effects continues social fabric pittsburgh pittsburgh undergo dramatic like major cities pittsburgh experienced days rioting following assassination april major riots tension remained high inner city black neighborhoods present 1970s 1980s steel industry came increasing pressure foreign competition american mini mills lower overhead salvaged steel manufacture germany japan foreign mills factories built latest technology benefited lower labor costs powerful government corporate partnerships allowing capture increasing market shares steel steel products separately demand steel oil crisis increasing use materials era began building basics report collapse steel free market pressures exposed steel industry internal problems included outdated manufacturing base expanded 1950s 1960s hostile management labor relationships wage cuts work rule reforms management styles poor strategic planning unions management particular pittsburgh faced challenges local iron ore deposits depleted raising material costs large mills pittsburgh region faced competition newer profitable mini mills non union mills lower labor costs beginning late 1970s early 1980s steel industry pittsburgh began recession example mills laid workers steel mills began shut caused effect railroads mines factories region lost business closed local economy suffered depression marked high unemployment laid workers took lower paying non union jobs pittsburgh suffered declining population like cities saw white flight suburbs demolished replaced waterfront shopping mall direct result loss mill employment number people living homestead time census borough population borough began financially recovering retail tax base corporations corporate headquarters bought larger firms loss high paying white collar headquarters research personnel brain drain massive charitable contributions home based companies local cultural educational institutions time merger largest world history involving company fortune years earlier high paying white collar corporate phd research jobs lost day today steel mills city limits pittsburgh manufacture continues regional mills nearby higher education pittsburgh home universities included graduate graduate school national rankings evolved mid-20th century lines followed needs heavy industries financed directed development collapse steel pressure universities research centers science technology acted pull regional economy high technology fields regional collegiate institutions include pittsburgh theological seminary beginning 1980s pittsburgh economy shifted heavy industry services medicine higher education tourism banking corporate headquarters high technology today private employers city employees employees civic improvements despite economic turmoil civic improvements continued mid-1970s landmarks wanted demonstrate historic preservation drive economic development use eminent domain public subsidies landmarks acquired terminal buildings yards pittsburgh mile long property base washington facing landmarks developed site mixed use historic reuse development gave foundation opportunity urban planning principles practice aided initial generous gift landmarks adapted historic pittsburgh buildings new uses added hotel dock gateway fleet parking areas shops offices restaurants entertainment anchor historic site south shore opposite golden triangle pittsburgh station square pittsburgh premiere attraction generating visitors year reflects million investment sources lowest public cost highest return major renewal project pittsburgh region 1950s sold station square created help support restoration efforts educational programs year staff introduce people teachers students adults visitors architectural heritage pittsburgh region value historic preservation period pittsburgh national model community development work activists founded organization model nationwide activists richardson shared aim landmarks pittsburgh existing built landscape demolish site north river cleared publicly built home major technology companies planning major expansion area soon 1980s renaissance urban created numerous new structures place 1990s sites homestead mills cleared new terminal pittsburgh international airport opened aging rivers stadium replaced despite rejected voter referendum revealed national audience pittsburgh transformed industrial belt city pittsburgh today present day pittsburgh economy low cost living rich infrastructure education culture ranked world cities tourism recently pittsburgh nearly new hotel rooms opening holding consistently higher occupancy comparable cities apple google joined technology firms choosing operate pittsburgh region leader green environmental design movement exemplified city convention center years region seen small influential group asian immigrants including indian sub continent jurisdiction timeline claimed king charles claims pennsylvania degrees west delaware dutch trader explores area settled english traders primarily dispute virginia pennsylvania visits small french force visits king virginia sails ohio burying lead plates claiming area france cumberland county pennsylvania founded jurisdiction george_washington visits route occupy area construct fort jesuit father founded beaver regain area establish fort dispute claims colonies pennsylvania virginia pennsylvania grants quebec rights lands west north ohio river pennsylvania george_washington visits virginia march pennsylvania april township founded february pennsylvania december pennsylvania june petition pittsburgh township september pennsylvania april pittsburgh borough pennsylvania march city pittsburgh pennsylvania
History of Pittsburgh