Squirrel Hill

Squirrel Hill is a neighborhood located in the East End of Pittsburgh. The residential population of this popular area has grown since 2000. As of six years ago, when the 2010 Census was collected, about 40 percent of Squirrel Hill’s residents were Jewish. The United Jewish Federation released a study in 2002 that most of the Jewish population of the greater Pittsburgh area lives in Squirrel Hill and only 14 percent live in other neighborhoods.

With an interesting name like “Squirrel Hill,” one has to wonder at times its origin. Native Americans may have given the neighborhood its name due to the large amounts of squirrels that inhabit the area. The very first recorded home in the neighborhood was built in 1760 by a soldier named Colonel James Burd, at a place called Summerset. The second home, which is still standing in Schenley Park, was built by a man named Ambrose Newton.

In 1868  Squirrel Hill was annexed to the city of Pittsburgh after spending time as part of Peebles Township.

Today, this vibrant, pretty and popular neighborhood is known for a wide variety of shops, restaurants and businesses along the Forbes and Murray Avenue corridor.    The area is bordered by Greenfield, Oakland, Shadyside, Point Breeze, Regent Square and Swisshelm Park.