1939 Stiles Pictorial Historical View of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

This is Ezra Stiles 1939 pictorial view of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as it appeared in 1889, drawn and issued for the 50th anniversary of the Union Trust Company. The view documents the cityscape at the height of Pittsburgh's industrial power, when it was emerging as the heart of the American steel industry.

A Closer Look

Reminiscent of American city views popular in the late 19th century, the era of the city's history depicted, this view is oriented towards the north and focuses on the most developed portion of Pittsburgh near the meeting point of the Ohio, Monongahela, and Allegheny Rivers. Major historical sites, including Forts Pitt, Duquesne, Prince George, and Fayette, the city's first blast furnace, the site of Holy Ghost College (Duquesne University), and other landmarks, are labeled with their founding dates. Many other industrial enterprises, neighborhoods, railroads, bridges, churches, and more are similarly illustrated, with particular attention paid to the industrial district (Strip District) along the Allegheny River. Though the famed Carnegie Steel had not yet been formed, one of its predecessors, Carnegie Phipps and Co., does appear, as do the facilities of Carnegie's main competitor, Jones and Laughlin.

Depictions of Shanty Boat Row and the Union Trust Co. Building appear at left and right above inset maps of the American Industrial District and the United States in 1839 (a century prior to the view's production), respectively. At top-left is a map of Pittsburgh in 1889, while at top-right is a map of Pennsylvania in 1839. Additional depictions of scenes from the city's history appear in the foreground. A decorative border includes the city seal, views of Pittsburgh in 1795 and 1851, and vignette illustrations of early steel mills and coke ovens.

Publication History and Census

This view was drawn by landscape architect Ezra C. Stiles and published by the Union Trust Co. of Pittsburgh in 1939 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the founding of the company. It is scarce, only being noted among the holdings of Dartmouth College and the David Rumsey Historical Map Collection. There are two variants of the present view, the one seen here and one with text below the image (Rumsey 9613.000). A companion piece in a similar style titled 'Pittsburgh in 1939' (Rumsey 12004.000) is equally rare.