Here Are Some Of The Very First Photos Ever Taken Of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh’s a constantly evolving city and so is its landscape. Some things, however, never change – like the beauty of the skyline and the inclines climbing up and down Mount Washington. Have you ever wondered what life was like decades ago, long before any of us were born? Here are some of the earliest, most amazing photos of Pittsburgh that gives us a peek into the past.

1. Although not a photograph, this engraving shows Pittsburg, before it added the h, some time in the early 1800s. The engraving is of the Ohio River as it looks toward the Point, perhaps the most famous landmark in the city today.

2. A shot of the river from the Smithfield Street Bridge, circa 1900, which features a levee and a steamboat.

3. Phipps Conservatory on the North Side in 1903. In the early 1900s, the conservatory had two locations – this one and one in Oakland. This location eventually became the National Aviary.

4. Here’s a photo of the Pitt football team in 1900. In the early days, the university was known as Western University of Pennsylvania.

5. The Pirates have always been a hometown favorite. Here’s the Pittsburgh baseball team in 1900. Honus Wagner is perhaps the best known player on the team at the time.

6. The Scheneley Hotel is seen here in a photo that was taken between 1900 and 1906. The hotel’s address was 3959 Fifth Avenue.

7. Today, with its 446 bridges, Pittsburgh’s known as the City of Bridges. Here’s a shot of The Point Bridge in 1900.

8. Fans fill the stands at Forbes Field to cheer on the Pirates. Photo was taken between 1900 and 1915.

9. The Zoo in Highland Park, now the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, is seen in this photo from 1900.

10. Visitors to the Highland Park Zoo in 1900 would see, among other animals, Russian bears.

11. Pittsburgh’s still known as the Steel City for its rich history in producing steel. This photo of the Jones and Laughlin Steel Mills was taken some time between 1900 and 1915.

Which of these are your favorite photos of Pittsburgh? Let us know in the comments! How about journeying down Memory Lane back to the 1970s? Here are 10 photos of Pittsburgh in the 1970s that are simply amazing.

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Here Are Some Of The Very First Photos Ever Taken Of Pittsburgh

Beth Price-Williams

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