Pittsburgh Facts and History

[Ohio Steeler]

Founded: 1758 Population (estimated) (Metro area) 1,300,000

Incorporated: 1816

** The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $400, for a two-bedroom, $550.

** Pittsburgh is the only city rated among the five most livable cities in the United States in the last three Rand McNally surveys.

** Pittsburgh is known as the city of bridges. It is believed that the metropolitan Pittsburgh area has over 2000 bridges that span 8 feet or greater. The reason for the many bridges is that the City of Pittsburgh is surrounded by three rivers. The Monongahela River from the south and the Allegheny River from the north, join to form the Ohio that goes to the West. All three rivers meet in front of the Golden Triangle.

** Pittsburgh was once considered the "Steel Capital of the World". Andrew Carnegie, whose philanthropy, is well known throughout the world, owned and operated the largest steel manufacturing company, until he sold it to a group of investors in 1901. The group of investors led by J.P. Morgan formed a company that became known as United States Steel Corporation.

The following information is placed on this website courtesy of http://www.newpittsburgh.org
Pittsburgh Firsts

First U.S. Public TV Station - WQED
First U.S. Radio Broadcast - KDKA, Nov. 2, 1920
First U.S. Movie Theatre - 1905
First Ferris Wheel - 1893
First Retractable Dome - Mellon Arena
First Night World Series Game - 1971
First Polio Vaccine - Jonas Salk, 1954

Baseball's First World Series Game: A 1903 showdown between the Pirates and the Boston Red Sox. The Pirates lost in nine games.

Baseball's First Night World Series Game: Played October 13, 1971, between the Pirates and Baltimore Orioles at Three Rivers Stadium. Rookie pitcher Bruce Kison allowed one hit and no runs in six innings of relief. The Pirates win the series behind MVP Roberto Clemente.

First NFL Team To Win Four Super Bowls: In a six year period between the 1974-76 and 1979-80 seasons, the Steelers won Super Bowls IX, X, XIII, and XIV.

Other Fun Facts

Western Pennsylvania has been home to numerous football superstars, including Joe Montana, Johnny Unitas, Joe Namath, Dan Marino, Jim Kelly and Gus Frerotte.

Carnegie Mellon University has been named #2 Business School in the World by the Wall St. Journal, and has been selected as one of the nation's best universities by U.S. News & World Report.

A few of Pittsburgh's famous faces: Dennis Miller, Christina Aguilera, Michael Keaton, Jeff Goldblum and Bill Nunn.

A native of Pittsburgh, artist Andy Warhol studied art and graphic design at Carnegie Tech, now Carnegie Mellon University. The Andy Warhol Museum, one of the largest single artist museums in the world, is located just minutes from PNC Park, and a short walk from Heinz Field. The museum features hundreds of Warhols paintings, drawings, film, and video, as well as personal items and memorabilia.

Pittsburgh is among the Top 25 Arts Destinations in the Nation according to a poll published in the summer 2001 issue of American Arts magazine.

Pittsburgh International Airport has finished first in the world in highest retail satisfaction in a J.D. Power and Associates study, and was named Best Airport in the United States and third in the world by Conde Nast Traveler.

Pittsburgh's new Convention Center is slated to be the first "Green" convention center in North America due to its environmentally friendly design.

The Discovery Channel named the Carnegie Museum of Natural History one of the Best Museums for Dinosaur Sightings.

Kennywood Park's Thunderbolt was given first place on the national Amusement Park Historical Association's Top Ten Coasters in the World list.

Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater was named Building of the Century by the American Institute of Architects.

Fred Rogers, the beloved host of Mr. Rogers Neighborhood, shot all his episodes in the Neighborhood of Make Believe at the WQED TV studios in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh.

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, directed by Mariss Jansons, consistently rates among the top orchestras in the world. The Evening Standard, London, writes: "One of the finest orchestras on the planet?"

The Rink at PPG Place in downtown Pittsburgh has an ice surface of 9,586 sq. ft., more than 2,000 sq. ft. larger than the rink at Rockefeller Center.

Agnes R. Katz Plaza in the downtown Cultural District has as its centerpiece a 25-foot bronze fountain designed by sculptor Louise Bourgeois. The artist also created stone benches in the form of giant eyes set within a space lined by 32 geometrically trimmed linden trees. Check it out?

Concession stands at Heinz Field sell two miles of hot dogs at each game.

On Location in Pittsburgh

Film crews are drawn to Pittsburgh for its architecture, neighborhood charm and great local support. Highlights include:
The Mothman Prophecies
The Deer Hunter
Silence of the Lambs
Lorenzo's Oil
Hoffa
The Wonder Boys Inspector Gadget
Desperate Measures
Milk Money
Money For Nothing
Kingpin
Roommates
Only You
Boys on the Side
Dominick & Eugene
Striking Distance
Sudden Death
Night of the Living Dead

More Famous Pittsburghers:

Perry Como, Bobby Vinton, The Vogues, Earl Fatha Hines, Ahmad Jamal, George Benson, Jeff Watts, Stephen Foster, Henry Mancini, George Benson, Lena Horne

Dancer/choreographers Martha Graham and Gene Kelly

Jazz greats Art Blakey, Billy Strayhorn, Billy Eckstine and Erroll Garner

Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson
Authors Gertrude Stein, Rachel Carson (Silent Spring), David McCullough (John Adams); John Wideman

Pittsburgh Food

Pittsburgh's ethnic diversity inspires the region's local food. And while fine dining choices abound, visitors usually set aside at least one meal to experience a hometown favorite.

The Big Mac, the world's most famous hamburger was "invented" in Pittsburgh by McDonald's franchise owner Jim Delligatti in 1968.

Pierogies, found at restaurants all over Pittsburgh, are a product of Pittsburgh's Polish heritage. Cooked in butter, these delicious dumplings are stuffed with potato and other flavorings, depending on the creativity and tradition of the cook.

Chipped Ham, a spicy lunch meat, made its debut in 1933 at Isaly's, a locally based family chain of dairy stores. Former Pittsburghers have been known to have it shipped across the country when they get a yearning for this hometown favorite.

Klondikes, another Isaly's original, is a vanilla ice cream bar dipped in chocolate and packaged in a silver wrapper. When Sam Isaly invented them in 1929, klondikes sold for a nickel each.

Wedding Soup, that delectable Italian broth with tiny meatballs and rich egg pastina, is served throughout the city.

Fried Zucchini Strips, thin, crispy and savory, are a hometown original and popular as an appetizer.

Pittsburgh Salad: take a salad, any salad, and top with french fries.

Heinz Ketchup, invented here, by H.J. Heinz. Check out the full story at the Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center in the Strip District.

http://www.majestyco.com/pittsburghfacts.htm

[purplepenguin]

Very Cool. Thanks!

[Cap]

Yeah it was cool. Nice read, thanks for sharing. There was alot of info on there that I didn't even know.

[nicesteel4life]

AWESOME INFO! I learned a few NEW things as well as remebered a couple others. Great reading material to pass the days till the season starts again.

[Prosdo]

Awesome post!

[HburgXL06]

Loved it! I'ma send those to my dad!

BuFu

[SteelShooter]

Nice info....Thanks!

[clevestinks]

Greaaaaat info!

[SteelersMongol]

Appreciate it. Thanks a lot for sharing. AND more info is seeked.

[thejim]

Good stuff. Perfect to send to out of town buddies.