Author: Mark Houser
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.
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