Doors Open Pittsburgh: Featuring the William Penn Snyder House

William Penn Snyder House

As part of DOORS OPEN Pittsburgh, an annual two-day event that provides unprecedented access to buildings around the city, we are featuring 20 of the many buildings participating.

Today’s building is the William Penn Snyder Home.

A Brief History of the William Penn Snyder House

William Penn Snyder House

The William Penn Snyder House is located at 850 Ridge Ave. The house, built in 1911, is in the Allegheny West neighborhood of Pittsburgh. It occupies the entire corner of Ridge and Galveston Avenues and is three stories high. Built in the 18th century, the French Renaissance style includes ornate woodworking, marble fireplaces, stained glass and more.

In 1972, it was added to the list of Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation Historic Landmarks. Two years later, it was on the list of the city of Pittsburgh historic designations and in 1976, the National Register of Historic Places. Babb, Inc., an insurance brokerage firm, currently owns and occupies the William Penn Snyder House.

There are very little brownstone structures in Pittsburgh and the Snyder house has been well maintained. Before Babb bought it, it was home to the Snyder family. Willian Penn Snyder was in the iron ore development business based out of the Lake Superior area. He also owned the Shenango Furnace Company.

The garage in the building was built for the automotive age—it was large and accommodated several cars. There was an exquisite ballroom that was on the street level of the home, just steps from the interior driveway. Fascinatingly enough, the home contained some interesting technological advances—an in-house vacuum system, push-button elevator and air conditioning.

For tickets to this outstanding event, you can visit Doors Open Pittsburgh here.

Buildings already featured here on Pittsburgh Beautiful:

Byers Hall

Allegheny HYP Club

Boggs Manion : The Inn on the Mexican War Streets

Alphabet City Building

David L. Lawrence Convention Center

The Oliver Building

EQT Plaza

The Engineer’s Society

The Pennsylvanian

The Priory Hotel

First Presbyterian Church

William Penn Snyder House

Union Trust Building

Koppers Building

Dollar Bank on Fourth Avenue

Speakeasy at the Omni William Penn

The Grant Building

PPG Place

Penn Brewery

 

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