Pittsburgh Neighborhoods: History of Deutschtown

 A Brief History of Deutschtown






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History of Deutschtown

East Allegheny, or Deutschtown, is a neighborhood on the north side of Pittsburgh. East Allegheny’s history runs deep—in 1783, Pennsylvania created a 3,000-acre tract of land north of where the Allegheny merges with the Ohio. A man named John Redick came up with a town plan for Allegheny City that originally featured 36 city blocks that were surrounded by a common grazing area. That grazing area became a park (now known as Allegheny Commons) and the land east of the Park that was supposed to be for farming is what is today named East Allegheny. The area developed between 1850-1900 was by mostly German immigrants, hence the nickname Dutchtown, mispronounced as the correct name is Deutschtown.



Facts about Deutschtown

History of Deutschtown




In 1984, East Allegheny was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as “Deutschtown Historic District.” Its nominating petition talked about Deutschtown’s distinct ethnic associations and neighborhood solidarity. It is also the busiest commercial district left on the North Side since 1960’s Allegheny Center. Construction of I-279 broke the neighborhood in half. Both sections of the neighborhood fell victim to the construction with residents moving, absentee landlords, low-income tenants and a lack of investment.  Today Deutschtown is once again on the move.  Many local businesses have begun to locate there, and residents are moving in as the neighborhood experiences a revitalization.  The Deutshtown Music Fest is now one of the most popular events in summertime Pittsbugh!



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