Life in Western Pennsylvania Timeline

Union Trust Building

Date	Circa 1930
Creator	Louis S. Michael
Collection#	1999.0246
Process/Size	Gelatin Silver Print/ 3" x 2"
Description	Photograph of Fifth Avenue and Cherry Way, Pittsburgh, PA. The Union Trust Building isvisible in the background. This photo is from the scrapbook of Louis S. Michael, a lifelong amateur photographer who documented family, friends and everyday activities.

Pittsburgh Flood Of 1936

Date	March 18, 1936
Creator	N/A
Collection#	PFF010-I01
Process/Size	Gelatin Silver Print/ 2.5" x 4"
Description	A scene illustrating the devastation of the Great Flood of 1936, which spread rapidly through Pittsburgh and other Western Pennsylvania river communities. The flood waters continued to rise until approximately 6 a.m. on March 19. The waters peaked at 46 feet. Thirty-six people were killed and another 500 were injured. The financial damages were estimated between $150,000,000 and $200,000,000.

Pittsburgh Flood Of 1936

Date	March 18, 1936
Creator	N/A
Collection#	PFF010-I02
Process/Size	Gelatin Silver Print/ 2.5" x 4"
Description	A scene of Liberty Avenue illustrating the devastating effects of the flood on downtown businesses.

Pittsburgh Flood Of 1936

Date	March 18, 1936
Creator	N/A
Collection#	PFF010-I05
Process/Size	Gelatin Silver Print/ 2.5" x 4"
Description	The North Side overlooking the Allegheny River, near Kaufmann's warehouse.

Jones & Laughlin Pittsburgh Works

Date	Circa 1938-42
Creator	N/A
Collection#	GPC-B003-F40-I01
Process/Size	Gelatin Silver Print/ 8" x 10"
Description	The Jones & Laughlin Steel Mill - Pittsburgh Works, between the Monongahela River and Second Avenue (foreground), was a major defense plant during World War II. Before the steel troubles of the 1970s, Jones & Laughlin Steel Corporation was one of the largest and most productive American iron and steel manufacturers. The Pittsburgh Works closed in 1981.

Mesta Machine Company

Date	1943
Creator	N/A
Collection#	2000.0005-I01
Process/Size	Gelatin Silver Print/ 8" x 10"
Description	The Mesta Machine Company, whose machine tools and equipment were found worldwide, was the first industry to break ground in West Homestead (1899). Early officials of Mesta were leaders in the establishment of the borough. Mesta Machine was a major employer in West Homestead until the mid-1980s, when it closed.

Frank Bolden

Date	Circa 1942
Creator	N/A
Collection#	1995.0196-I01
Process/Size	Gelatin Silver Print/ 8" x 10"
Description	Frank Bolden, pictured in front of his typewriter, grew up in Washington, PA. He was one of the first accredited African-American war correspondents in the United States. Working for the Pittsburgh Courier, he covered the hardships of African-American troops in World War II. He later wrote for the New York Times and NBC News.

World War II Honor Guard

Date	1945
Creator	N/A
Collection#	2000.0133
Process/Size	Gelatin Silver Print/ 8" x 10"
Description	The 518th Military Police Battalion Honor Guard for returning deceased soldiers. The 518th Military Police fought at D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge. They also helped free the concentration camp Buchenwald.

Zelkowitz Family Photo

Date	1946
Creator	N/A
Collection#	PFF13-I01
Process/Size	Gelatin Silver Print/ 8" x 10"
Description	The Zelkowitz family, shown with their five sons after the sons' return from duty in World War II, lived in Braddock and belonged to the Agudth Archim Synagogue. They emigrated from Czechoslovakia around 1921. Each of their five sons served in a different branch of the military.

Fifth Avenue, Downtown Pittsburgh

Date	Circa 1945
Creator	N/A
Collection#	MSP285-B022-F14-I01
Process/Size	Gelatin Silver Print/ 8" x 10"
Description	Looking east up Fifth Avenue from Market Street. On the far left corner of the intersection is the Farmer's Bank Building, replaced in 2000 by the Lazarus Department Store. On the near corner across from the Farmer's Bank Building is the site of the PNC Building.

Smoke Control in Pittsburgh

Date	Circa 1944-49
Creator	N/A
Collection#	MSS285-B21-F17
Process/Size	Gelatin Silver Print/ 8" x 10"
Description	This photo shows mid-morning activity in the 200 block of Fifth Avenue. In 1949 the City of Pittsburgh was joined by the Allegheny County Board of County Commissioners to fight for smoke control and to adopt a County Smoke Control Ordinance.

Demolition begins for Point State Park

Date	May 18, 1950
Creator	N/A
Collection#	MSP285-B7-F11-I01
Process/Size	Gelatin Silver Print/ 8" x 10"
Description	Initial demolition for Point State Park began on May 18, 1950. The creation of the park was an integral part of Renaissance I.

Lower Hill District (The Future Home Of The Civic Arena)

Date	1957
Creator	Allegheny Conference for Community Development
Collection#	MSP285-B01-F17-I01
Process/Size	Gelatin Silver Print/ 8" x 10"
Description	Aerial view of the lower Hill District with the proposed Civic Arena (Mellon Arena)and street patterns outlined. Beginning in 1955, this area of the Lower Hill District was razed for the construction of the Civic Arena, despite protests from area residents and businesses.

The Point Before Renaissance I

Date	1950
Creator	Allegheny Conference for Community Development
Collection#	PSS0014-S7-G3-T1-20
Process/Size	Kodachrome/ 35mm Slide
Description	Point State Park before Renaissance I from a vantage point looking east atop Mount Washington. The Pennsylvania Railroad Freight Terminal took up a large portion of the Point.

Golden Triangle And Point During Renaissance I

Date	1954
Creator	Allegheny Conference for Community Development
Collection#	PSS0014-S7-G3-T3-01
Process/Size	Kodachrome/ 35mm Slide
Description	Gateway Center (left center) is completed and work is beginning on Point State Park. Pittsburgh Renaissance I changed the Point from railway yards, industries and small businesses to parks and modern office buildings. Construction began on the Gateway Center buildings in 1950 and was completed in 1952. Four Gateway Center was added in 1960.

Golden Triangle At Night

Date	1967
Creator	Allegheny Conference for Community Development
Collection#	PSS0014-S7-G3-T3-01A
Process/Size	Kodachrome/ 35mm Slide
Description	View of downtown from the North Side during "Light Up Night." The new Gateway Center and Hilton Hotel are in the foreground. Pittsburgh's annual "Light Up Night" is the official kickoff for the Pittsburgh holiday season.

The Sixth Street Bridge

Date	1964
Creator	Albert C. Mazukna
Collection#	ACC.1998.0030.F1-AC-64-001
Process/Size	Kodachrome/ 35mm Slide
Description	The Sixth Street bridge looking Northeast from Arch St., south of West Ohio St. at the North Side post office. The Buhl Planetarium is located on the right.

Fort Pitt Blockhouse

Date	September 21, 1953
Creator	Stewart Love
Collection#	MSP285-B007-F09-I01
Process/Size	Kodachrome/ 8" x 10"
Description	The original Fort Pitt Blockhouse at Point State Park. The blockhouse is the only remaining original structure of the frontier post. It is now connected to a museum that sits on the exact location and is constructed in a similar manner to the original bastions of the fort.

Downtown Motors Pontiac Dealership

Date	Circa 1950
Creator	N/A
Collection#	ACC.1997.0097.B6.I04
Process/Size	Polaroid/ 3.5" x 5"
Description	Downtown Motors Pontiac Dealership located on West Liberty Avenue. There are now ten car dealerships on West Liberty Avenue. The Pontiac company was originally created as a part of the G.M. Corporation in 1926. It became one of the leading brands of cars finishing second behind Chevrolet in total sales.

Baysek Oldsmobile Dealership

Date	Circa 1956
Creator	N/A
Collection#	ACC.1997.0097.B6.I06
Process/Size	Polaroid/ 3.5" x 5"
Description	Henry T. Baysek's Oldsmobile dealership, located at 900 North Ave. in Wilkinsburg.

Wilkens' Jewelers in East Pittsburgh

Date	Circa 1950
Creator	N/A
Collection#	ACC.1997.0097.B6.I10
Process/Size	Polaroid/ 3.5" x 5"
Description	Men converse outside of the Wilkens' Jewelers and Opticians in East Pittsburgh. The Wilkens Co. operated a number of jewelery stores in Pittsburgh from around 1906 throughout much of the 20th century. The store pictured was located on Electric Avenue in East Pittsburgh.