Along W. North Avenue, sandwiched neatly between Brighton Road and Federal Street in Pittsburgh's North Side lie the Mexican War Streets. Visitors to the National Aviary or fans on their way to a Pirates or Steelers game may pass this section of the city without ever knowing what lines some of the city's oldest streets. Hidden among decades of absenteeism and former run down neighborhoods sit some of the most amazing houses in all of Pittsburgh.
The North Side for many years and still today can be seen as somewhat of an undesirable area. Once home to steel magnates and other wealthy entrepreneurs of the industrial revolution, the collection of neighborhoods fell into despair as industry vanished. Urban revitalization, with its great intentions, actually ended up causing more problems as the century old community meshwork was torn apart.
Today, the neighborhoods that make up the North Side have seen a quick uplift as Pittsburgh developers and special interest groups look to bring the city back to its former glory with an eye on the future. As the stadiums went up, so did retail, restaurants, concert venues and civic amenities. As prices and demand rose, the development moved its way from the riverbanks to the hills, encompassing the entire North Side. History lines the streets of the area and current development aims to preserve that while also making it useful and progressive.
The Mexican War Streets, designated as a National Historic District in 1975. Originally comprised of a 27 acre area, it was recently expanded to encompass an additional 26 acres. The land upon which the unrivaled structures were built was originally owned by General William Robinson, born in 1785 as the supposed first white male born in the site of former Allegheny City. The land was given as a gift to his father after the Revolutionary War and had sat idle until the 1840's. After his return from the Mexican War in 1846, Robinson developed the tract of land and named the streets after battles in the war such as Monterey, Palo Alto, Resaca and Beuna Vista. With the proliferation of suburban living and the streetcar, the location of the neighborhood, directly across the river from the city was perfect. Soon it became a bustling community with stores, restaurants, barber shops, beer gardens, doctors offices and other amenities. Wealthier residents began to move in to grand houses mimmicing the popular architecture of the day such as George Ferris, inventor of the Ferris Wheel and the Boggs family, owners of a former department store on the North Side.
As wealth and industry moved, so did the people and businesses. The area became undesirable but Pittsburgh always stays resilient in progressive. In the 1970's the historical society pushed for the national historic district designation which eventually led to the districts unique redevelopment. With many low income residents surrounding the Mexican War Streets some of the old houses were refurbished to their former glory and utilized as affordable housing. Now a walk along these streets will bring attention to wealthy residents, tree lined streets, homes decorated precisely to past specifications, bright vivid colors, brick and stone old style businesses, artwork and public gardens.The Mexican War Streets through the late 1900's were brought back to their former glory by sympathetic investors and home owners who know their is a need for new housing with a historical backbone. Pittsburgh does a fantastic job and repurposing and revitalizing it historic structures, a lesson learned after failed urban revitalization at the front end of a bulldozer. Today, just steps from the North Sides many civic amenities and right across the river from the city is a neighborhood that has an old world suburban feel right in the heart of the city. Many homeowners, renters and businesses want their investment to be worth it, and buying or renting a home that has been standing for over a century, with craftsmanship unmatched for decades is exactly the trend that is seen today.
I had driven past the Mexican War Streets many times but never took the time to actually walk along the streets and appreciate what they have to offer. Easily one of Pittsburgh's greatest hidden gems, these streets bring you back to the cities glory days and show you how people are working to bring those days back.
Click the following links for further reading:
 |
| Allegheny Commons Park with a view of downtown - directly across from Mexican War Streets |
 |
| Ducks and Geese at Allegheny Commons Park |
 |
| Birds doing a fly-by |
 |
| Goose goes diving for food |
 |
| House on Resaca Place |
 |
| A view down Resaca Place |
 |
| Homes of the Mexican War Streets |
 |
| Front of the Mexican War Streets along North Avenue |
 |
| Doors and doorframes painted in vibrant colors |
 |
| Leaves changing color on the Mexican War Streets |
 |
| Ivy grows along an old house |
 |
| Ivy engulfs a garage |
 |
| Vibrantly painted doors |
 |
| Gas lamps on house on the Mexican War Streets |
 |
| 1968 Jeep Commander |
 |
| Artwork made and displayed by homeowner |
 |
| Ivy consumes a home on the Mexican War Streets |
 |
| Ivy wrapping itself around a fire escape |
 |
| Vines growing on a house |
 |
| An example of the dedication to decor on the Mexican War Streets |
 |
| Flowers at the public garden |
 |
| Full view of the public garden |
 |
| Entrance to the public garden |
 |
| The former Boggs family mansion - now the Inn on the Mexican War Streets |
No comments:
Post a Comment