Oakland & The University

     Oakland never used to be the cultural epicenter it is today.  Early settlers to the area used the territory mostly as farmland, but it developed quickly.  By the 1830’s  many of the upperclass citizens of “Downtown Pittsburgh”  were looking to escape the filth and disease that had become common in that area.  Because of the influx of this wealth and attraction to hip, modern culture Oakland began to shift.  A great deal of this was made possible by the contributions of Mary Schenley.  

     Mary made quite a few sizable donations to the city, but none more significant than Schenley Park.  Schenley donated three hundred acres of land for the park herself, (the park is now an even larger four hundred and fifty six acres)  singlehandedly creating the second largest municipal park in all of Pittsburgh.  This land borders the campus of the University of Pittsburgh, an attraction for local residents and students alike.

Schenley Park

      Mrs. Schenley was not only instrumental in developing the public areas of Oakland, but also had a hand in the University’s expansion as well.  After her death in 1903, she still held fifty million dollars worth of real estate in Pittsburgh.  Some of this land was turned over to the University of Pittsburgh, including what is now known as the Schenley Quadrangle.

The Schenley Quadrangle
(Shitty Picture Due To 2.0 mpx iPhone Camera)

The quad is the location of five of the schools residence halls. 

These include (listed alphabetically):

*Amos Hall - named for the University’s former dean of women, Thrysa W. Amos.

*Brackenridge Hall - named for founded Hugh Henry Brackenridge.

*Bruce Hall - named for the first chancellor of the Western University of Pennsylvania,  Robert Bruce. 

*Holland Hall - named for former University Chancellor William Jacob Holland

*McCormick Hall - named for Samuel McCormick, University Chancellor who moved the school from the North Side to Oakland, renamed it the University of Pittsburgh

   It's clear from all of this, that both the city and school effected each other throughout the transition of the University's move from the North Side to it's present day location in Oakland effectively beginning in 1909.  The transition of the upper class from Downtown Pittsburgh to the Oakland area was key in the University's success at it's new campus.  Oakland became a more favorable environment of culture, learning, and progression.  This is directly linked to the support of citizens such as Mary Schenley and other members of the upper class' who were able to make a difference in Oakland.  Without their generosity the University of Pittsburgh might not have the land, resources, and public appeal that it has today.  Without the spacious, multidimensional campus or the vast cultural scene, the University might not be the large name it is in education today.  Without the University, Oakland would be a completely different place than it is now.  The great deal of college students that make up the neighborhood would not be there to stimulate the local economy as they do now, among other effects that could be caused by their absence.  

University of Pittsburgh Graduation