The North Side
Since the construction of Heinz Field and PNC Park, Pittsburgh’s North Side has been known for its connection to the city’s dearest idols: sports teams. Pittsburgh’s baseball and football stadiums stand along the Allegheny River like monuments to many Pittsburghers’ favorite pastime; however, this was not always the case. What has now become a symbol of Pittsburgh Pride was once the completely separate Allegheny City.
Allegheny City was laid out and built in 1788 in the midst of wide swaths of farmland north of the Allegheny River. The German population in the new town grew so quickly that it came to be referred to as Deutschtown. Henry J. Heinz, a son of German immigrants, founded the H.J. Heinz Company there, and the headquarters became a fixture and influence in the city for decades, with namesakes such as Heinz Hall, the Heinz History Center, and Heinz Field.
Although Allegheny City thrived independently for almost 150 years, its next door neighbor, Pittsburgh, grew even faster and overshadowed it in population and economic force. In 1907, against the wishes of the majority of Allegheny City citizens, it was annexed and became part of the city of Pittsburgh. It was then that it took on the generic name of “The North Side”.
In the years since its annexation, the North Side has shifted, grown, and readjusted. Today, in addition to the thriving sports and entertainment district known as North Shore just across the river from downtown, the North Side includes smaller, quieter attractions. If crowds, concerts, gambling, and sports aren’t your preference, check out Allegheny Center’s Children’s Museum and the National Aviary. Even further into East Allegheny, you’ll find historic Deutschtown. This neighborhood, which boasts a summer music festival , has recently flourished. In part due to the economic development of North Shore, Deutschtown has worked with an eye towards community outreach through the East Allegheny Community Council.
North Side’s thriving cultural and economic situation makes it a staple of the larger Pittsburgh community, and its attractions are not to be missed. From the popular Allegheny Brewery to the small, family owned restaurants like Arnold’s Tea House, the North Side offers a dose of charm not often found in areas dominated by the economic giants of a casino and two stadiums.
Paths of the North Side
Have you ever wondered what makes a neighborhood feel like a neighborhood? Pittsburgh is often described as a city of neighborhoods that form the metropolitan area. One of the more historic neighborhoods in Pittsburgh, the North Side, is a cultural hub located just above Downtown along the Allegheny River. Originally known as Allegheny City, it was not until 1907 when the city of Pittsburgh annexed the area to what we know now as the North Side. The construction boom of the mid 1800’s helped to form this area full of rich history.
Music, Rainbows, and Community across the Allegheny
The story of Deutschtown is a wonderful analogy for Pittsburgh itself: prosperous industry town falters, revives, and struggles. Though part of North Side, Deutschtown has maintained its individual identity as the areas around it have matured, gentrified, and developed into their own spaces. The area’s socio-economic patchwork varies greatly, including the lovely Mexican War Street Victorian remodels, colorful Randyland, and City of Asylum, along with dilapidated housing just off the main drag.
Allegheny Center: Renewal or Decay?
Allegheny City, now known as Pittsburgh’s North Side, has a long and complicated history of change. While initially a thriving and unique city of its own, it soon became a rundown neighborhood blighted by urban decay. Today, looking back, it is difficult to know whether the changes that the space has undergone should be seen as positive or negative. As a case study, the shopping centers of Allegheny Center provide insight into the changes that the neighborhood has gone through and how they have affected the community as a whole.
The Historical Tapestry of Pittsburgh: Northside Then vs. Now
Allegheny Center is a neighborhood that covers 36 blocks of Pittsburgh’s Northside. The city’s original plan was created by John Redick, who sought to bring together the community of historic Northside back in 1784 (Allegheny Commons). The Center is now home to Buhl Community Park at Allegheny Square, The Buhl Planetarium, Allegheny Commons Municipal Park, The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, the National Aviary, and New Hazlett Theater (formerly known as the Carnegie Free Library of Pittsburgh). More recently, Allegheny Center has included high-rise apartment buildings and townhouses.