I asked a friend of mine to tell me a little about
Pittsburgh neighborhoods as he went to Pitt as an undergrad. He's not good at
recognizing architectural styles, but has offered some insight on the general
"vibe" of the neighborhoods and makeup of the populations.
Start reading from the bottom up for it to make any
sense.
----- Original Message -----
From: Ryan
Sent: Thursday, May 02, 2002 12:25 PM
Subject: RE: Pittsburgh
Squirrel Hill has old Brick and stone houses with HUGE
windows. I don't know style or period names well, so I should probably not
attempt. Many houses have porches and small front lawns. There are a
variety of ethnic restaurants in the area. Also, heavily populated by a
mix of intellectuals, families (many Jewish, and many Orthodox Jews),
professors, CMU students (equivalent of Penn students), artists. Very
White however.
Lots
of trees line these streets as well. South Oakland has very little greenery and
more telephone wires than are probably needed. The style of S. Oakland
homes very similar to Conshohocken. Does that say anything? North
Oakland is very non-descript. Shadyside is a combo of the Manayunk styles
and the Squirrel Hill styles.
Nobody has mentioned Squirrel Hill, but tell me
about it. So you can't describe the architecture of any of these
places?
----- Original Message -----
From:
Ryan
Sent: Thursday, May 02, 2002 11:35
AM
Subject: RE: Pittsburgh
I
don't know much about the historical question, but maybe this will help you.
South Oakland is where I lived. Warhol grew up in South Oakland.
Perhaps some research on his childhood will lead you to more information on
the neighborhood's history. To put it nicely, Oakland is referred to as a
"Student Ghetto". It is a total mix and It has a West-Phila. Bohemian vibe as
well. Many of the houses appear like they are on weak foundations and look
like they are going to fall over. There are generations of families
there living among the students. A lot of elderly people walk the streets side
by side with the skaters and the grungers. Then you see a lonely
foreign exchange student in the mix too, as well as "Plain Janes",
"Jocks", non student hobos, gangsters, etc... The families who have long
been there maintain their homes rather well, but the initiative is nothing
like what goes on in your area. Over the years, many of the larger houses
have been renovated and split into apartments. I would say about 70% of the
exteriors are aluminum siding of various colors and concrete. Pitt has bought
a great deal of property in the upper portion of South Oakland over the past
few years and they have torn down dilapidated homes and made University run
apartments out of them. Cookie Cutters, of course. Campus is in Central
Oakland (or Oakland) That is 100% University, that is where the dorms, class
buildings and Cathedral of Learning is. That is also where Carnegie
Mellon University begins.
In
North Oakland you have more of what you see in South Oakland, but cleaner, and
quieter. There are more single homes in North than South. South is mostly row
homes, apt. buildings, or twins. Still, the area is comprised mainly of
students or young professionals. A real feeling of history is not evident in
North Oakland other than some of the homes, churches and synagogue that you
see. I don't know the period or date for any of these
structures.
Shadyside is very much like Manayunk. There is a main drag of high
end stores (chains and independents), restaurants, etc. The people are mainly
yuppies, gays, grad students, professors, young professionals and younger
families. The homes are nice. There are rows, twins, singles, and apt.
buildings. There is little to no space between most of the properties and it
is one area of the city notorious for parking havoc. It is just east of
Oakland. They are all a bit different from each other. Again, I don't know the
period.
The
neighborhood that reminds me most of yours is Squirrel Hill. Has anyone said
anything about that?
There is a debate on the neighborhood listserve
about neighborhoods in Pittsburgh, and how they compare to West
Philly/University City. Apparently one of them struggled with the Historic
District question as well. The neighborhoods they are talking about are
Shadyside and Oakland. Can you offer any perspective on them?
