History

History of Pittsburgh’s South Side The Early Days
South Side’s history began in 1763 when the King George III of England presented John Ormsby with about 3,000 acres along the south bank of the Monongahela River as payment for his service during the French and Indian War. The land was then subdivided into four boroughs: South Pittsburgh, Birmingham, East Birmingham, and Ormsby. The boroughs were annexed to the City of Pittsburgh in 1872.

In 1811, Dr. Nathaniel Bedford, Ormsby’s son-in-law, laid out the village of Birmingham. Named after Birmingham, England, many of Birmingham’s street names honored Bedford’s friends and family members, including:
Bedford Square, named after Nathaniel Bedford himself, Carson Street, named after a Philadelphia sea captain friend Sarah, Jane, Mary, Josephine, Sidney, Wharton, and Page streets, all named after family members.

Iron, Glass, and Steel
South Side industries helped forge Pittsburgh’s reputation as the “Workshop of the World.” First, the early 1800s brought glass works, then in the later part of the century, came the massive iron and steel works.

As South Side industries grew throughout the 1800s, so did the wave of immigrants who came from Germany, Ireland, Lithuania, Poland, the Ukraine, and the Slavic nations to work the many jobs created by the mills. Immigrants built their own schools, churches, and social clubs where they could preserve their cultural heritage, continue their native customs, and speak their native languages.

A Neighborhood Transformed
Most of the heavy industry is gone from the South Side, leaving room for the business district’s transformation to new industries focusing on technology, healthcare, and entrepreneurial ventures. Surviving this transformation is the neighborhood’s ethnic charm, hard working legacy, and beautiful architecture.

TIMELINE

1758 Pittsburgh is founded and named after William Pitt. 1763 King George III gives Major John Ormsby 3,000 acres of land, which will later become the South Side. 1811 Ormsby’s son-in-law, Nathaniel Bedford, lays out the villiage of Birmingham, which will later become the South Side Flats 1850 The oldest public school building in the City of Pittsburgh, Bedford School, opens. 1854 South Side’s American Iron Works, later to become J&L Steel, was founded by Benjamin Franklin Jones and James Laughlin. 1872 The four boroughs previously known as South Pittsburgh, Birmingham, East Birmingham, and Ormsby are annexed by the City of Pittsburgh. 1889 Southside Hospital opens its doors. 1899 Southside’s Duquesne Brewery building built. 1909 Carnegie Library opens its South Side branch. 1915 Oliver Bath House opens. 1915 The Market House re-opens to the public. 1917 The Brashear Association is founded 1933 Duquesne Brewery clock installed. 1967 South Side Local Development Company is founded 1982 With more than half of Carson Street storefronts vacant, a massive revitalization effort begins 1985 First annual South Side Summer Street Spectacular is held. 1986 Last South Side steel mill closes 1991 City Theatre opens in remodeled church. 1996 East Carson Street gains recognition as a “Greta American Main Street” by the nation’s Main Street Center 2004 South Side Works development opens to the public

History provided by the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation.