Historic Buildings in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

There are many reasons people visit the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area. From the rides at Kennywood to the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium visitors from all around come to see what Pittsburgh has to offer. Some of the most overlooked places are the monumental historic buildings that are windows into the areas past.

Starting with the oldest building in the city of Pittsburgh, the Fort Pitt Blockhouse was built in 1764. Located at Point State Park, the Fort Pitt Blockhouse is free to the public and open year round. Explore the past at The Fort Pitt Museum, which is located just steps away from the Blockhouse. The Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9am until 5pm. The admission charge for adults is $5.00, seniors are $4.00, Children 6-17 is $2.00, and children under five are free.

In 1888, the Allegheny courthouse and Jail Complex were opened. Two separate buildings that are connected by the Bridge of Sighs that was used to transport prisoners until the jail closed in 1995. Today the old jail houses the juvenile and family areas of the common pleas court. The courtyard of the Allegheny County Courthouse is surrounded by the magnificent stonework that captured the essence of the building's history. A grand building of its time is now nestled amongst the glass and steel skyscrapers of today.

When the Frick Building was erected in 1902, it was the tallest building in the city at 330 feet tall. The limestone and granite exterior provided the perfect setting for the sleek white marble interior. Located on Grant Street in downtown Pittsburgh, the Frick Building is across the street from the Allegheny County Court House.

Just a few blocks down you will find the Omni William Penn Hotel that has been giving customers a place to lay there head since 1916. This grand hotel has 596 guestrooms and suites to accommodate the needs of weary travelers and according to the Omni William Penn Hotel website has had guests such as John F. Kennedy and Lawrence Welk. This four-diamond hotel is the picture of historic elegance and classic architectural beauty.

Nestled between the Omni William Penn Hotel and the Frick Building is the Union Trust Building. Original known as the Union Arcade, the Union Trust Building was built in 1917. This 11-story building has nearly 600,000 square feet of space and is undergoing renovations after being sold for 25 million dollars. The renovation will include making the ground floor available for upscale retail space.