A Brief History of Lawrenceville
Lawrenceville is one of the largest neighborhoods in Pittsburgh. This area is located northeast of downtown and is bordered by neighborhoods like Bloomfield, the Strip District and Polish Hill. Lawrenceville is actually now considered three different neighborhoods—Upper, Central and Lower.
Lawrenceville was founded in 1814 by William B. Foster, who was the father of Stephen Foster (composer of “Camptown Races,” “My Old Kentucky Home”). It got its name from Captain James Lawrence, War of 1812 hero (of “Don’t Give Up the Ship” fame). Lawrenceville was annexed to Pittsburgh in 1868 and was also the home of the Allegheny Arsenal, a Union Army supply and manufacturing center during the Civil War.
Facts About Lawrenceville
One of the original buildings in Lawrenceville was a log home built in the 1820s and survived all the way until 2011. Lawrenceville is also Hollywood famous—scenes from the Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway movie Love and Other Drugs was filmed there. Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC opened a new building in Lawrenceville in 2009, moving patients from Oakland. Finally, Lawrenceville’s revitalization has allowed it to become one of the finest art, live music and dining hubs of the Western PA area. The history of Lawrenceville is crucial to understanding the growth of Pittsburgh.
I lived in Lawrenceville all of my child hood, I left when I got married in 1960. Lawrenceville will always remain in my fondest memories. I lived at 413 52nd St. I frequently went to Propers or Propper’s soda shop. At Easter time Mom bought candy from the Greeks candy shop. How has Butler St changed? What’s there now for stores?
I also grew up I. Lawrenceville, i used to walk to Bloomfield to visit my family, I went to school at Arsenal Middle school,they created dog tags for the children but I lost mine.. I loved that school!
I lived in Lawrenceville, on 42nd street, until 1960. I was only 5 at that time. I remember my mom taking me to Arsenal Park, and the Isaly’s on Butler Street. I left Pittsburgh in 1970 and have been back a few times, most recently this past summer. Always will be my home.
Grew up in Bloomfield but spent a lot of time in Lawrenceville. Went to Arsenal when it was a high school,being the next to last graduating class in 1968 before it became a middle school. Left in 1970 but still come home every 6 to 8 weeks. You can take the girl out of Pittsburgh, but can never take Pittsburgh out of the girl. Nothing beats home!
My Mom grew up in Lawrenceville thru the depression. She always spoke well of her childhood there. They lived at 5156 Keystone St. My family owned a bakery in Lawrenceville too. We lived in Brookline but when we were kids my folks would take us to the Greeks for ice cream or candy.
I need to know if Lawrenceville, PA is also on the border of New York? I was told a lot of people with the last name Beers live around the area of Lawrenceville, PA. Is that true? When I was a kid, our family used to travel a few hundred miles to attend a Beers Family Reunion in Corning, NY. I was told my grandfather grew up in Lawrenceville, PA and that’s why I am asking. Thanks for any info you have.