The Strip District Evolution: From Trading Post to Vibrant Urban Hub

One of Pittsburgh’s most famous neighborhoods is The Strip District.  It’s one of those places that when out-of-towners come in, we direct them there as a must-see.  It is adjacent to the downtown area and Lawrenceville.  It runs from 11th Street to 33rd Street.  Although only a one-mile stretch of land, it has a huge history.

In the mid-1720s the area was occupied by approximately 20 Lenni Lenape families.  They settled there to flee the Iroquois and British settlers.  Their village was known as Shannopin Town.  The village is believed to be from Penn Avenue to the Allegheny River and roughly between 30th and 39th Streets.  Both the French and the British would trade with the Lenape here.  It was noted as being a very hospitable place for Europeans, including George Washington, during their travels.

In 1969, Thomas Smallman purchased 319-acre plot of land from the Penn family.  Just four years later, James O’Hara (a name you’ll hear a lot) purchased it and renamed it “Springfield”.  In the early 1800s, both O’Hara and George A. Bayard owned the land that is now The Strip.  In 1814, they named the parcel of land “Northern Liberties of Pittsburgh” in 1814, but it was better known as Bayardstown.  In 1837, this area of land became part of Pittsburgh’s Fifth Ward.

As Pittsburgh became an industrial powerhouse in the late19th century, the area sprung up with mills and factories.  Famous Pittsburgh companies, such as U.S. Steel, H.J. Heinz Company, Westinghouse and the Pittsburgh Reduction Company (now ALCOA) began in the Strip.  European immigrants flocked to The Strip to find work and were the muscle behind America’s most industrial strength and ingenuity.  During this time period Bayardstown was home to one of the city’s most notorious 19th century street gangs, the Bayardstown Rats.

In the early 20th century, The Strip grew into a wholesale produce center because of its proximity to the Pennsylvania Railroad yards.  This is where produce, cheeses and seafood from around the world would to be stored and sold.  Soon, wholesaling overshadowed industry as the main business.  Throughout the 20th century, the area evolved from strictly wholesaling to retail as well. Saturday mornings would be bustling with Pittsburghers finding unique and amazing fresh fish, cheese and produce.

Today, The Strip is home to many unique shops, restaurants and clubs.  You can still find fresh produce and other fine foods that define the area.  There has been a lot of residential space created over the last few years as well.  Many old factories have been turned into lofts, which are available for both rent and purchase.  New apartment complexes have been built as well.  This has fueled new retail spaces such as The Terminal, which was once the Pennsylvania Railroad Fruit Auction and Sales Building.  After over 200 years of history, The Strip continues to be a vibrant and vital part of Pittsburgh.