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Old 08-31-2009, 02:41 AM
 
Location: Kittanning
4,692 posts, read 9,033,011 times
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I'm trying to research which buildings downtown may have survived the great fire of 1845 (and still stand). I know that the Burke Building, of 1836, still stands on Fourth, but I'm unaware of any others. Does anyone know? A lot of buildings downtown, especially on Wood st., were refaced in the '50s and '60s in a modernist style, which may hide an older building underneath. I've noticed a few buildings in the wharf district and on Wood, Smithfield, Strawberry Way, etc. that may actually be quite old. This conspicuous building on Blvd. of the Allies (not the fire dept) looks as if it may be from the 1840s, but it's really hard to tell of course!

Engine House photo - Eric Miller photos at pbase.com

Also, check out what was found underneath the '60s facade of this building, demolished for 3 PNC.

Demo for PNC photo - Eric Miller photos at pbase.com

Maybe somebody else out there finds this stuff as fascinating as me.
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Old 08-31-2009, 06:58 PM
 
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Pick One: That's a cool engine house.

Pick Two: The original design was more interesting than the facade.


Okay. I'm not as FASCINATED as you, but I do like old buildings.


Here's one of my favorite downtown buildings: http://lh6.ggpht.com/_W0eTs7KGhq8/Ro...A/P1010800.JPG
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Old 08-31-2009, 07:08 PM
 
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It was built long after the fire in 1900, but I just thought I'd share a building I like.
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Old 08-31-2009, 07:13 PM
 
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This plan of the city from 1826 might help you with location. If there's no buildings anywhere near the current location, you can probably rule it out.

Google Image Result for http://brooklineconnection.com/history/Facts/images/ParkBldg.JPG
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Old 08-31-2009, 07:14 PM
 
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Check out this drawing of the point in 1817. Google Image Result for http://brooklineconnection.com/history/Facts/images/ParkBldg.JPG
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Old 09-01-2009, 05:13 PM
 
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
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there is a plaque in front of the pita pit at 411 smithfield st. that reads "these buildings form the bordering line of the burnt district of april 10 1845" i'm not sure but i think the building itself was rebuilt. when i was building the restaurant my architect said the columns were from around 1850. the stone walls in the basement may be older though, they appear to still have some fire residue on them. i have some pictures of the original storefront before we put new tile up. i'll try to find them on post them for you.
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Old 09-01-2009, 05:13 PM
 
254 posts, read 591,301 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hopes View Post
This plan of the city from 1826 might help you with location. If there's no buildings anywhere near the current location, you can probably rule it out.

Google Image Result for http://brooklineconnection.com/history/Facts/images/ParkBldg.JPG
Great link. I was checking out the Point going back every decade from 1950 to 1900. Such an amazing transformation.
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Old 09-01-2009, 05:54 PM
 
Location: alive in the superunknown
542 posts, read 991,416 times
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I've said it before and I'll say it again, Pittsburgh has amazing architecture! I never even knew until I first visited for something else unrelated. Now I'm hooked and am always looking for an excuse to get up there to do more urban exploring! Some of the old bridges that use to go into downtown were awesome too. I wonder why they didn't save them?

I just hope the firemen from the fire station in photo 1 aren't too busy at the place next door to get to an emergency!
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Old 09-01-2009, 06:44 PM
 
20,273 posts, read 33,009,142 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nebat View Post
Some of the old bridges that use to go into downtown were awesome too. I wonder why they didn't save them?
Here is a history of the various bridges at the Point. It doesn't cover all the Downtown bridges but it will give you an idea of some of the issues that led to demolition:

Bridges and Tunnels of Allegheny County and Pittsburgh, PA - HAER PA-3: Pittsburgh Bridges at the Point
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