The Mutualistic Relationship of Pittsburgh & The University

     As history has surely shown, Pittsburgh, and the major public institution it's home to get along quite well.  From the early success seen in the development of Oakland, the two started off their symbiotic relationship remarkably mutualistic. The wealthy brought with them progressive ideals, and the University provided a place to explore knowledge.  This steady relationship grew even stronger with the building of the Cathedral of Learning, seen as a beacon of high educational regard for both the school and the city alike.  What really cemented the University and the City together though, was their cooperation in defeating the polio virus.  Together they did something that had never been done before, a thing some thought might be impossible. What is clear though from the research, is that the University of Pittsburgh and the city of Pittsburgh have banded together in the past.  While the meanings of those bonds may have changed over time, they are still strong and will not be broken for a very, very long time.

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

My Goal

     The University of Pittsburgh has been a landmark in Allegheny County since it's official charter from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on February 28, 1787.  Before that date the Pittsburgh Academy, (as it used to be known) which was founded by Hugh Henry Brakenridge, was a preparatory school.

The Pittsburgh Academy

     With western expansion in the United States increasing at this time, new higher education facilities were needed and so what became known as the Western University of Pennsylvania was established.  The school was originally planned to be a related institution to the University of Pennsylvania, which was already well established in Philadelphia, but it’s strong commitment to a liberal arts curriculum made it stand out as a truly separate entity.  It has been a staple of the city of Pittsburgh since these days, and their impact on each other has been astounding.  The University of Pittsburgh (as it was renamed in the summer of 1908) and the city for which it’s named have progressed and evolved with each other over the years.

                                               
     In 1909 the school began to move to from it’s original location on what is now considered the North Side, to an area that would come to be known as the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh.  From there the university blossomed under then Chancellor Samuel McCormick.  As the school implemented itself in the community and took off in it’s own path towards academic success, though not without influence from the great city in which it stood.

Thaw Hall Circa 1913

     This interaction and growth between the city of Pittsburgh and our very own University is definitely an interesting relationship and in fact the focus of this blog.  The posts you’ll find from here on out are intended to present the relevant information gathered through research in a way the texts and historical accounts they come from won’t.  The intent is to provide a more interesting and engaging read, while still displaying cited historical material to an audience interested in the longstanding relationship between the school and city.