What Happened to Millionaire's Row in Pittsburgh?

Between the years of 1830 and 1930, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania emerged as an epicenter of wealth and prosperity, boasting a greater number of millionaires than even the illustrious metropolis of New York City. In this enchanting exploration, we embark on a voyage through time, discovering the remnants of grandeur and the long-forgotten mansions that once defined Pittsburgh's resplendent Golden Age.

As we traverse the storied streets and delve into the rich history of this remarkable city, we reveal the architectural treasures that have withstood the test of time, as well as those that have faded into the mists of history. These opulent estates, once the symbols of unrivaled affluence, now serve as poignant reminders of an era marked by industrial triumph and societal opulence.

What Happened to Millionaire's Row in Pittsburgh?

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Research from: Pittsburgh's Mansions by Melanie Linn Gutowski
Photo from: Google Maps
Public Domain Photos from: Carnegie Museum of Art, Senator John Heinz History Center, CMU, Historic American Buildings Survey, Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation, Library of Congress, Historic Pittsburgh, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Archives Courtesy of The Frick Collection/Frick Art Reference Library Archives.

Music and Sound Effects from: Epidemic Sound

[sherribennington]

I live in Steubenville, Ohio. About 30 miles from Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh is still a power house, but sadly overlooked. There are world class hospitals, m.d.s, universities, restaurants, museums, the Gateway Clpper fleet, the zoo ect. We come from the west and go through the Fort Pitt. tunnel, as soon as you emerge from the tunnel there she is...it's a spectacular sight in all her glory!

[tnickknight]

Pittsburgh is the most underrated city in the USA. It's a shame how it has been treated, nice to know it has been slowly coming back.

[dougmoore]

I think Pittsburgh is a beautiful city. Her downtown skyline is impressive.

[maurawhite]

I'm originally from Pittsburgh and love when focus on my home town...which is filled with extreme history...the wealth at one time was unmatched

[rgelfand]

Grew up in Pittsburgh but have lived all over the country. Came back in 2005 and can think of no other place I'd rather live.

[courtneykephart]

Some of the houses off of fifth avenue are still there as Chatham University's dorm rooms and offices. Andrew Mellon's house that is now offices and connected to the dining hall, was connected to them by tunnels that are now caved in.

[MissionaryInMexico]

Pittsburgh was quite nice. My first visit there was in 1980. I spent a lot of time there ever since. In 1986 I moved a friend's family to one of those millionaire row homes. We really couldn't believe he was moving there... Until he told us he only paid $250, 000 for it. Today, that house is worth $3, 000, 000, and my friend's dad was only in that house for 4 years from '86 to '90. Then he moved back to Erie. His son and I were on the billy blanks Tae Kwon Do fighring team together, and we fought tournaments together, in Pittsburgh and in Erie, and Akron, and Youngsville.

[dongray]

I grew up in Southwest Pennsylvania and every year at Christmas every elementary school student in the Laurel Highlands (about an hour east of Pgh) received a small gift from the Mellon family.
Generally a small clothing item, but always something useful...

They were giving back to the community that supported them, back in the 60s.

Sorry most elites forgot their Noblesse Obligé these days.

[cynthiagardner]

I’m a fourth generation Pittsburgher and I couldn’t have done this any better. Spectacular research and cogent details. Bravo, Ken. Such a fun effort is this and all!

[LaurenWinkler]

As a lifelong Pittsburgher, this is the episode I’ve been waiting for! Thanks! I went to middle school a block from Clayton and visited it growing up. I’m also partial to the Mellon mansion, since the area is a popular park now, and love the mansions that have become university buildings at Chatham University. I’ve always wanted to see where Andrew Carnegie lived in Pittsburgh. If you can find info, I’d love to see it.

[markanthony]

Pittsburgh is an awesome city honestly. One of the best places I’ve visited on my many work trips

[drohegda]

Growing up in Pittsburgh your school could arrange a field trip to the Heinz factory, no charge and you seen the gigantic soup pots operating, canning, boxing, everything with a guide to answer questions, it was Marvelous. When done everybody would go to a huge cafeteria for a free hot free meal og their products Corn, Beans soup, mashedpotatoes etc, what everybody waited for the whole day was to receive your Pickle Badge, it was a small plastic pickle with Heinz nane in center a gold small pin on back, grade school high school everybody wait to get one, a Really Fond Memory for a kid, now a senior, Thank You, Heinz 57 👍👍

[sumerlawrence]

Not many factory managers could "ketchup " to the great things Henry Heinz was doing for his employees 😁

[jimwhitman]

Being from Pittsburgh, I appreciate your recent coverage. Thank you 🙏🏼

[edwardlenz]

Clayton has always been my favorite. For a while, I lived across the street on Penn Ave. and took many walks to enjoy its amazing beauty. Fortunately, for all of us, it is still there.

[chrisgress]

Grew up in Pittsburgh. I remember sleeping on the porch on hot summer nights and watching the sky turn red from the mills and all of noise coming from the mills. I thought my dad would get me in the mill when I graduated in 1980, he told me the mills are going to shut down so I went in the Navy and returned in 1984. Couldnt find work but landed a job out of state.
I wonder if the schools teach local history of Pittsburgh, probably not, it should be required.
My mom worked at Heinz in the late 40's and told me how she smelt like vinegar on her street car ride home to Lincoln Place.

[davidayn]

The Moreland-Hoffstatt mansion on 5th Avenue was, and still is, my favorite house in Pittsburgh. You should do a tour of this grand house.

[deborahduthie]

What a pity that these glorious homes were demolished. They are all beautiful and one can only imagine the wonders within.

[markpirolo]

When I was a student at CMU I lived in three different small apartments in the McCook house on 5th ave. It has now been restored and renovated into The Mansions on 5th boutique hotel but for for several decades it was owned by the Bonavita family and operated as a boarding house for CMU students. It was a truly amazing place to live.

[ThePeteBkk]

Good memories of Pgh. from the late 80's. Spent Saturday and Sunday afternoons walking around Shadyside and Squirrel Hill admiring the old houses and trying to clear my head. If I were to revisit the USA, this city will be on my list.