Things to do / Travel Guide
It is believed that the Iroquois were southern Pennsylvania's first modern inhabitants until French explorers arrived in 1749, setting their sights on the triangle of land located at the confluence of the Allegheny River and Monongahela River. In 1753, British settlers in Virginia learned of the French presence in this strategic spot and quickly sent a young Major George Washington with a message for the French explorers: evacuate immediately. The French, indignant at the British orders, did just the opposite and built the region's first military outpost called Fort Duquesne. During the French and Indian War (1754-1763) the British claimed this precious point wedged between the rivers, destroyed Fort Duquesne, and under the direction of British General John Forbes constructed Fort Pitt. Forbes officially named the settlement “Pittsborough,” in reference to Fort Pitt. In 1762, a rich coal seam was discovered on what was subsequently called “Coal Hill,” a tall hillock (Mount Washington) high above the shores of the Monongahela River. This discovery greatly altered the course of Pittsburgh's history by providing the burgeoning city with the energy resources needed to develop into an industrial powerhouse.
The period after the American Revolution meant significant growth for Pittsburgh. When British goods and supplies no longer reached U.S. shores during the battle of 1812, Pittsburgh's industry quickly filled the void, and within a few years Pittsburgh was making iron, brass, tin, and glass.
The middle of the 19th century would see Pittsburgh emerge as the biggest city in the Union west of the Allegheny Mountains. With a fast-growing coal industry, Pittsburgh produced iron and armaments during the Civil War. In 1892 Andrew Carnegie, a Scottish-born businessman and philanthropist, opened the Carnegie Steel Company, which later became U.S. Steel. Carnegie managed the largest iron and steel productions ever owned by a single person in the United States, and as a result, amassed incredible wealth. True to his own philosophy of philanthropy, Carnegie later gave over $350 million dollars to support and establish a wide variety of institutions. Among his philanthropic endeavors were 3,000 Carnegie libraries worldwide (including one in Pittsburgh) and the Carnegie Institute of Technology, now a part of Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. Carnegie was also in a long-time partnership with Henry Clay Frick, who was also considered one of the original “robber barons,” together, they ran Carnegie Steel Company, which later became U.S. Steel.
The early 1900s brought tremendous growth in the area of steel production. By 1911 Pittsburgh produced one-third to one-half of the nation's steel and the population had already risen to 500,000 people, including newcomers from Ireland, Scotland, Italy, Germany, and Eastern Europe. The diverse cultural heritage of the city is celebrated in the Cathedral of Learning's 26 Nationality Rooms (each room represents a different culture that made a contribution to the city's development). During World War II, Pittsburgh generated over 95 million tons of steel in order to satisfy the country's industrial and military needs. The 1970s and 80s proved to be difficult times for steel workers, the period was characterized by a general collapse in Pittsburgh's steel industry, resulting in lay-offs and mill closures. Many families left the city.
Today Pittsburgh is widely regarded as a center for finance, health care, and technology. The city possesses more than 170 research laboratories and more scientists and engineers with doctoral degrees per capita than Boston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco respectively. Pittsburgh's tourism industry has also grown exponentially in the past several decades. Today, nearly four million people visit southwestern Pennsylvania each year, generating over $2.2 billion in revenue for the region. Visit southwestern Pennsylvania yourself to find out why so many travel-savvy tourists are choosing Pittsburgh as a favorite vacation spot.
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