Squirrel Hill: A Neighborhood History

by Squirrel Hill Historical Society, Helen Wilson

Overview

The Squirrel Hill Historical Society and editor Helen Wilson explore the fascinating history of one of Pittsburgh's historic neighborhoods.

Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill neighborhood began on the frontier of western Pennsylvania 250 years ago and developed into a vibrant urban community. Early settler John Turner, half-brother of renegade Simon Girty, survived capture by Native Americans and experienced firsthand the change from dangerous wilderness to established farming community. As Squirrel Hill developed, the landscape dotted with farms and cottages, inns and taverns, and little shops, over time Pittsburgh's elite began to build mansions in the area, especially after the Civil War; one of these stately manors even became the Pennsylvania Female College in 1869, today known as Chatham University. Wealthy landowners Henry Clay Frick and Mary Schenley bestowed Squirrel Hill its grand public parks . Hyman Little, Herman Kamin and countless others moved to the hill and made it Pittsburgh's premier Jewish community, with a tight knit cluster of synagogues, temples and a thriving business district. Today, Squirrel Hill is still one of the most beautiful and exclusive neighborhoods in Pittsburgh.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781540216656
Publisher:	Arcadia Publishing SC
Publication date:	06/19/2017
Pages:	210
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

The Squirrel Hill Historical Society, formed in 2000, is a nonprofit organization run by volunteers dedicated to researching, preserving and celebrating the history of Squirrel Hill, the largest and most diverse neighborhood in the city of Pittsburgh. The SHHS offers monthly lectures on topics of local interest and walking tours of historic places in the community. It has amassed a collection of texts, photographs and memorabilia and maintains a Museum Board at the local branch of Carnegie Library, with changing exhibits about Squirrel Hill's history. Its website, squirrelhillhistory.org, presents historical information about the neighborhood, information about speakers and topics, and a link to the SHHS presentations, which are posted on YouTube. Membership in SHHS is growing as more people come to share its enthusiasm for the history of their vibrant neighborhood.

Table of Contents

Preface Michael Ehrmann 7

Acknowledgements 9

Introduction Helen Wilson 11

1 Squirrel Hill Today Helen Wilson 15

2 The Present Was Created by the Past; The Geology of Squirrel Hill Helen Wilson 22

3 The Development of Squirrel Hill Helen Wilson 27

4 The Mural in the Post Office Helen Wilson 37

5 The Early Days of Squirrel Hill Helen Wilson 41

6 Nine Mile Run Wayne Bossinger 52

7 Squirrel Hill's Jewish History Dr. Barbara Burstin 68

8 The Squirrel Hill Business District: A Story of Change Michael Ehrmann 79

9 Little's Shoes: The Anchor on Forbes Avenue Michael Ehrmann 114

10 The Walking Community and the Morrowfield Apartment Hotel: The Vision of Real Estate Developer Thomas A. Watkins Betty Connelly 122

11 Squirrel Hill's Two Great Parks Helen Wilson 134

12 Mansions and Estates of Squirrel Hill Helen Wilson 148

13 Beechwood Boulevard Wayne Bossinger 166

14 A New Direction: The Squirrel Hill Tunnel and the Parkway East Helen Wilson Wayne Bossinger 180

In Conclusion Michael Ehrmann 187

Sources 189

Index 201

About the Authors 207