A Brief History of The Hill District
The Hill District is bordered by Downtown Pittsburgh, the Strip District, Polish Hill, the Bluff (or Uptown) and Oakland. The Hill District is Pittsburgh’s oldest African American community, originally called “Little Haiti.” It was called this because of Haiti gaining independence in 1804 and the many Haitians that live there.In the 1910s, Bedford Dwellings, and the Hill District in general, caught the eye of many migrants coming from all parts of the U.S. Many from the rural south came up to the neighborhood. Jazz musicians flourished in the community and many called Bedford Dwellings and the Hill District “the crossroads of the world.” The phrase was made part of the neighborhood’s vernacular by DJ Mary Dee of what was then called WHOD Radio, at the time Pittsburgh’s only African American radio station. In the summer of 1956, over 1,000 buildings were razed and the Civic Arena began its construction. The redevelopment broke off the Hill District communities from the rest of the city and resulted in its economic downfall. Between 1950 and 1990, the Hill District lost over 38,000 of its residents, including 400 businesses. Luckily, the area has been undergoing a revitalization as of late.
Fast Facts about Bedford Dwellings & Middle Hill
The area was the setting for nine of the 10 plays in Pittsburgh Cycle, by August Wilson. The ’80s TV series Hill Street Blues was named for the Hill District and a writer for the show actually went to CMU (back when it was called the Carnegie Institute of Technology). After years of poverty, Bedford Dwellings and the Hill District are undergoing a renaissance. For example, there is now Centre Heldman Plaza, a grocery store and retail and restaurant center. The New Granada Theater underwent a restoration, opening up new eyes to the place where Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington performed. Duquesne University opened a pharmacy in the neighborhood as well, marking the first university-operated pharmacy in America.
I grew up in pgh. Unfortunately, the hill district was “the ghetto” from the 70’s until? Glad to know it is being revitalized.
My family lived there from the early 1900’s and died or moved before it became a Ghetto in the early 70;s. They lived on Lenora , Larimer ave Joesph street. I liked it in the 60;s.
My family on my paternal side arrived in Pittsburgh in 1910 . My maternal grandmother was born their in 1873. We lived in “The Hill District”.It was never a ghetto only to the late comers who arrived of the boats from Europe and choose to see “The Hill” as a ghetto. We had one of the best high Schools in the country “Schenley”. But when it came employment, excluding from trade unions and anything to keep the Black man from prospering “the late comers” were masters.
No mention of the TB hospital – had to go there as a child to check for TB
My Grandfather, Maurice Ruben had a Christian mission at Pride Reed and Crawford in 1900’s
YOU NEED TO RECOGNIZE RUSS SHELTON WHO BEGAN THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE HILL DISTRICT IN THE 1970’S. HILL HOUSE AND NEW CONSTRUCTION OF SINGLE FAMILY HOMES WERE ALL HIS CREATIONS. HONOR HIM.
I used to work at Hill House. We did lots of good work.
How come you’re yelling?
The Hill District was the original Jewish community of Pittsburgh until the street car reached Squirrel Hill.
I was born on the hill 1951, 1542 Webster Ave where the civic arena was built that is when they tore down many one and displaced many people, 1956 my mom and aunt moved to Braddock Pa I still remember the house and rich history I was born into.
My Mom, Mary Greta Cunningham Murphy taught in the Hill District in the late 50s/early 60s. She absolutely loved her time there. I believe the school was named Conroy. I think she taught 1st grade. We still have photos of my Mom with her students from all those years ago. I am so thrilled that the area is being revitalized! Hope to visit some day!