HISTORY & HERITAGE

BUSTLING WITH CHARACTER, DIVERSITY, & GRIT

The Strip District is Pittsburgh’s most iconic and most visited neighborhood. Bounded by the Allegheny River on the North, the Strip District stretches from 11th Street to 33rd Street along four major routes: Liberty Avenue, Penn Avenue, Smallman Street and Railroad Street.

In the early 19th century, the Strip District was home to many mills and factories as its location along the Allegheny River made for easy transportation of goods and shipping of raw materials. It was home to the Fort Pitt Foundry which was the manufacturer of large cannons before and after the American Civil War. Other early businesses included U.S. Steel, Westinghouse, Alcoa, and the H.J. Heinz Company.

The shipping industry located around these large manufacturers. That, in turn, attracted other types of merchants to set up shop in the Strip. The Strip District became a network of wholesalers, mostly meat and produce dealers.

Many restaurants and grocery stores sprang up to support all of the local workers at all times of the day. By the 1920’s the Strip District was the economic center of Pittsburgh.

By the mid to late 20th century the area saw many changes. As modes of transportation shifted from river to rail and roads, 80% of wholesalers, along with many of the manufacturers, left the area and relocated where more land was available for expansion. While some wholesalers still remained, the area was transformed into the unique living and shopping District of today.

Many abandoned warehouses have been renovated into eclectic shops, restaurants, apartments and lofts. And, new businesses have opened up modern Class A office space and high end tech operations. The Strip District is truly a place where old meets new, creating the most unique neighborhood in Pittsburgh.