Pittsburgh, PA

The city is built on a broad level point of land, between the two rivers, and is enclosed by hills, which are filled with bituminous coal. This constitutes the fuel for the vast number of factories, the tall chimneys of which bristle the town, belching black clouds of smoke, that darken the air and stain the houses a dusky hue. In point of beauty, therefore, Pittsburgh has little that is attractive ; yet there is something interesting in the concentration of industry and enterprise which this dark city exhibits... The population in 1800, was 1,565; in 1810, 4,768 ; in 1820, 7,248; in 1830, 12,542 ; in 1840, 21,115 ; in 1850, 46,601. (Fanning's, 1853)
Place Unit Type
City or Town
Containing Unit
Date Type
Abraham Lincoln speaks in Pittsburgh and then continues his pre-inaugural tour to Cleveland, Ohio Campaigns/Elections
Along the Monongahela River, large crowds turn out to watch a five-mile sculling race for $2000. Education/Culture
George Washington Ferris, inventor of the Ferris Wheel, born in Galesburg, Illinois Science/Technology
- Heavy rains cause flooding and damage in Pennsylvania and Ohio Crime/Disasters
In a rematch at Newburgh, New York, James Hamill wins back the American Single Sculls title from Walter Brown. Education/Culture
In Pennsylvania, a large public meeting in Pittsburgh resolves to block transfers of cannon to the South Lawmaking/Litigating
In Pennsylvania, a railroad depot near Pittsburgh is damaged by fire Crime/Disasters
In Pennsylvania, the Prince of Wales tours the state capitol in Harrisburg US/the World
In Pittsburgh, murderer Martha Grinder becomes the third female executed in Pennsylvania history. Crime/Disasters
In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, an exploding boiler flies through four brick walls and kills twelve people Crime/Disasters
In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, several steamboats are burned at the Monongahela Docks in a disastrous fire Crime/Disasters
In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, veterans supporting Republican policies meet in convention. Campaigns/Elections
- On his American tour, Prince Albert is in Cincinnati, Ohio US/the World
On the Monongahela and Ohio rivers at Pittsburgh, Walter Brown wins the American Single Sculls title. Education/Culture
Philadelphians gather to cheer a shipment of heavy cannon bound for the defenses of New York Harbor Campaigns/Elections
President-Elect Abraham Lincoln arrives in Pittsburgh on his eleven-day pre-inaugural journey Campaigns/Elections
Republicans sweep Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania's municipal elections Campaigns/Elections
Striking miners attack "blackleg" workers in the Pittsburgh coalfields Business/Industry
The ice on the Monongahela River above Pittsburgh breaks suddenly, causing heavy damage Crime/Disasters
The Ohio River at Pittsburgh open to navigation for the winter Business/Industry
- The Prince of Wales visits Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania US/the World
The Republican Party holds its first national meeting Campaigns/Elections
The War Department sets up two new Army Departments for the defense of Pennsylvania Battles/Soldiers
Young veteran colonel who had fought through the Civil War, is murdered in a Philadelphia bar-room. Crime/Disasters
How to Cite This Page: "Pittsburgh, PA," House Divided: The Civil War Research Engine at Dickinson College, https://hd.housedivided.dickinson.edu/index.php/node/9196.