Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation designates 27 buildings historic

09/10/2001 TRIBUNE-REVIEW

The Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation recently designated 27 buildings in the region as significant historic structures.

Each site will be identified with a plaque. The foundation has reviewed nominations once a year since 1968 and awards plaques to structures that are a significant part of the region’s local heritage.

“In some circles, our plaque program is all people know of Landmarks,” foundation spokeswoman Cathy McCollom said. “They say, `Oh, you’re the plaque people.'”

To qualify, landmarks must be remarkable pieces of architecture, engineering, construction or planning. Alterations and additions cannot substantially lessen their value, and they must be at least 50 years old. They also must qualify for the foundation’s inventory of significant structures and landscapes, and they cannot be located in historic districts bearing a plaque.

More than 400 structures in Allegheny County have received this designation.

“It’s a way to raise awareness about the number of significant historic structures we have in Allegheny County,” McCollom said. “We hope that we’re hitting the best and the finest, and we still have more to go before we hit them all.”

This year’s designees are:

– Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science, North Side
– Troy Hill Fire Station No. 39, Troy Hill
– Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland Pittsburgh Branch, Downtown
– The Forsythe Home, Carnegie
– Cecilia and Robert Frank House, Shadyside
– Gilfillan Farm House, Upper St. Clair
– Holy Virgin Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church, Carnegie
– Homestead High Level Bridge, Monongahela River at Mile 7
– Hot Metal Bridge, Monongahela River at Mile 3
– Pittsburgh Children’s Center, Oakland
– James Powers Homestead, O’Hara Township
– “Meado’ cots,” Point Breeze
– Andrew W. Mellon House, Shadyside
– Muse House, McKeesport
– Parkstone Dwellings, Point Breeze
– Penn Avenue Entrance to Allegheny Cemetery, Lawrenceville
– St. John the Roman Catholic Church (Church Brew Works), Lawrenceville
– St. Mary Magdalene Church, Homestead
– St. Michael Archangel Church, Munhall
– St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church, Hill District
– Schenley Bridge, Schenley Park
– Seldom Seen Arch, Saw Mill Run Boulevard east of Woodruff Street
– Sixteenth Street Bridge, Allegheny River at Mile 1.3
– Stewart Avenue Lutheran Church, Carrick
– Walker House, Elizabeth
– West End Bridge, Ohio River at Mile One
– Wilpen Hill, Sewickley Heights
This article appeared in the Pittsburgh Tribune Review. © Tribune Review