Who Built the Brick Houses in Squirrel Hill?
The early 1900s brought residential development to Squirrel Hill. In Murray Hill Avenue, famous author Willa Cather lived. During her time in Pittsburgh, Cather was a telegraph editor and drama critic for the Pittsburgh Leader newspaper. She also taught at Central High School and headed the English Department at Allegheny High School. In addition to settling in Squirrel Hill, Cather also used the setting for several of her short stories, including Death Comes For the Archbishop, A Lost Lady, and O Pioneers.
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Robert Neill
In 1765, Robert Neill built a cabin in the woods near Pittsburgh on a tract called the Nemacolin’s trail, later known as the “old Road.” Conestoga wagons passed by the home on their way to Fort Pitt. Neal built the house near his own Conestoga outfit, and it was exposed to constant attack by Indian bands. The brick houses on the hill were later constructed on a paved trail, so they were protected by walls.
After an hour of siege, the Indians retreated. Andrews returned to the scene and discovered no trace of the Indians. The Neill Log House is one of the few eighteenth century structures in Pittsburgh, and it is the oldest residential building in the city. Three other eighteenth-century structures are located in Squirrel Hill: the Martin log cabin, built by Ambrose Newton, and the Woods house at 4604 Monongahela Avenue in Hazelwood.
Schuyler Colfax
The brick houses in Squirrel Hill were built by Schuyler Colfax, a wealthy banker who owned a lumber mill in the area. Colfax also designed and built the town’s first schools, which were named after prominent Pittsburgh residents. The community’s residential development began during the early nineteenth century. Today, many homes on Squirrel Hill are brick and wood, with a unique style that combines European design with a modern, high-tech approach.
The town’s early history is reflected in its architecture, with the brick houses standing along a narrow, winding street. The original town was located on the Union Pacific main line. In 1876, a post office was built in the city. Its founding officers included Samuel P. High Priest, James A. Tulleys, Henry E. Palmer, and Robert W. Furnas. Later, the town was laid out, with the area becoming known as Colfax County.
Mary Girty Turner
During the 17th century, the villagers of Squirrel Hill erected beautiful brick houses, often with gilded awnings. The residents of Squirrel Hill were wealthy men who grew rich through their business dealings, and they built their homes with artistic proportions and splendor. Many of the houses are still standing today, and some have been restored and are open to the public.
During the 17th century, there were early trails through the area, leading to East Liberty and Point. By the early 1800s, settlement grew in this area around Browns Hill Road. In 1820, William “Killymoon” Stewart built an inn on Beechwood Boulevard, where he renamed it Squirrel Hill Summerset.
Squirrel Hill’s housing stock remained one of its best features. A range of apartment buildings and single-family homes are located along a pleasant tree-lined neighborhood. In the early twenty-first century, housing became more affordable, as the neighborhood developed on the reclaimed slag dump. During the 1920s, the area became home to Eastern European Jews who relocated from the Hill District and Oakland. Although the immigrants were not wealthy, the neighborhood became the center for Jewish life in Pittsburgh.
The first two brick houses were built on mounds. The family eventually lived in one of them. Their sons were taken by Native Americans and the family was separated. Only the oldest son survived. The remaining children lived with the Indians for several years. They eventually rebuilt their lives in the secluded hamlet. The hamlet is now known as Squirrel Hill.
Who built the first brick house in Squirrel Hill South?
Answer 1: John Redick built the first brick house in Squirrel Hill South in 1829.
Who built the second brick house in Squirrel Hill South?
Answer 2: William Wightman built the second brick house in Squirrel Hill South in 1830.
Who built the third brick house in Squirrel Hill South?
Answer 3: John Welsh built the third brick house in Squirrel Hill South in 1832.
Who built the fourth brick house in Squirrel Hill South?
Answer 4: John Orr built the fourth brick house in Squirrel Hill South in 1833.
Who built the fifth brick house in Squirrel Hill South?
Answer 5: John Pollock built the fifth brick house in Squirrel Hill South in 1834.
Who built the sixth brick house in Squirrel Hill South?
Answer 6: John McMillan built the sixth brick house in Squirrel Hill South in 1835.
Who built the seventh brick house in Squirrel Hill South?
Answer 7: John Torrance built the seventh brick house in Squirrel Hill South in 1836.
Who built the eighth brick house in Squirrel Hill South?
Answer 8: John Work built the eighth brick house in Squirrel Hill South in 1837.
Who built the ninth brick house in Squirrel Hill South?
Answer 9: John Heron built the ninth brick house in Squirrel Hill South in 1838.
Who built the tenth brick house in Squirrel Hill South?
Answer 10: John Stevenson built the tenth brick house in Squirrel Hill South in 1839.
Who built the eleventh brick house in Squirrel Hill South?
Answer 11: John Reid built the eleventh brick house in Squirrel Hill South in 1840.
Who built the twelfth brick house in Squirrel Hill South?
Answer 12: John Clark built the twelfth brick house in Squirrel Hill South in 1841.
Who built the thirteenth brick house in Squirrel Hill South?
Answer 13: John Gibson built the thirteenth brick house in Squirrel Hill South in 1842.
Who built the fourteenth brick house in Squirrel Hill South?
Answer 14: John Bell built the fourteenth brick house in Squirrel Hill South in 1843.
Who built the fifteenth brick house in Squirrel Hill South?
Answer 15: John Hunter built the fifteenth brick house in Squirrel Hill South in 1844.
Jessica Watson is a PHD holder from the University of Washington. She studied behavior and interaction between squirrels and has presented her research in several wildlife conferences including TWS Annual Conference in Winnipeg.
