Sounds of Pittsburgh

The Sounds of Pittsburgh

By Carley Bonk July 26, 2018
We think of spaces in which few people are present as being quiet. But each space has a unique sound, even when people are absent. The Post-Gazette explored the ambient sounds in several local spaces.


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Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main Branch

Jessie Wardarski/Post-Gazette

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ADDRESS
4400 Forbes Ave.
DEDICATED
Nov. 5, 1895
FROM
Steel magnate Andrew Carnegie
ARCHITECT
Longfellow, Alden & Harlow
COST
$250,000 donation
DESCRIPTION
In its original gifting by Andrew Carnegie, the library was housed in the same building as the Carnegie Museum. Ninety-seven U.S. architects submitted 102 sets of plans for the project. The building itself has gone through multiple renovations. A significant change was made in 1907, when the original twin towers flanking the Music Hall were removed. In 1985, a room was designated for rare materials, coined the "Special Collections." In 1995, public internet access debuted in the reference department.

Benedum Center for the Performing Arts

Jessie Wardarski/Post-Gazette

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ADDRESS
237 Seventh St.
SEATS
2,800
OPENED
As the Benedum, Sept. 25, 1987; as the Stanley, Feb. 27, 1928
FROM
James Bly Clark, theater tycoon
COST
$3 million
COST OF RENOVATION
$43 million
DESCRIPTION
The Benedum Center hosts a variety of shows in the heart of Pittsburgh's Cultural District. The building was originally named the Stanley Theatre. Often referred to as "Pittsburgh's Palace of Amusement," 90 crystal chandeliers hang from the ceilings of the 95 percent plaster interior. The main decorative feature is a 4,700-pound chandelier that measures 20 feet high and 12 feet wide. In its early days, admission cost only 65 cents for evening entertainment.

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden

Jessie Wardarski/Post-Gazette

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ADDRESS
1 Schenley Drive
OPENED
Dec. 7, 1893
FROM
Gift to the city from philanthropist Henry W. Phipps
DESIGNER
New York-based Lord & Burnham, a greenhouse manufacturer
COST
$100,000
DESCRIPTION
Phipps Conservatory features a 14-room glass house and 23 distinct gardens, including a Japanese garden, tropical fruit and spice room, edible garden, desert garden, Victorian room and orchid room. The original layout had nine rooms for the display of its first exhibit of greenery from the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Construction took one year.

The Strip District

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LOCATION
13th Street to 33rd Street, with three main "strips" — Smallman Street, Penn Avenue and Liberty Avenue.
BEGINNINGS
In 1814, a plan for lots between 11th and 15th streets was drafted by property owners James O’Hara and George A. Bayard.
SIZE
One-half square mile
POPULATION
616 (2010 census)
DESCRIPTION
This Pittsburgh neighborhood is shaped like a narrow strip along the Allegheny River. Its historic market district features many ethnic food purveyors, some art studios, antique dealers, unique boutiques and many restaurants. Wholey's Fish Market, the Pennsylvania Macaroni Co. and the original Pamela's Diner and Primanti's restaurants are a few of its classic businesses.

Post-Gazette newsroom

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ADDRESS
358 North Shore Drive
FIRST PUBLISHED
July 29,1786
DESCRIPTION
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette was originally published as the Pittsburgh Gazette, a four-page weekly printed on a wooden press. It was the first newspaper west of the Allegheny Mountains, printing the Constitution of the United States in 1787 as one of its first public services. The paper has gone through a series of name changes, but officially printed under its current title on August 2, 1927. Staff members began moving their offices from the paper's iconic Downtown location to the North Shore on July 10th, 2015.

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