Squirrel Hill: A Neighborhood History

Squirrel Hill is one of Pittsburgh s premier residential neighborhoods. It has a vibrant commercial center and two exceptional parks. The area was first settled in the eighteenth century as a pioneer farming community. As the city of Pittsburgh prospered, so did the status of Squirrel Hill. In 1867, Squirrel Hill was incorporated into Pittsburgh, but large portions of the neighborhood remained as farmland or large country estates into the early twentieth century. The neighborhood s primary era of growth was from 1900 to 1930, due in part to the connection of the Boulevard of Allies to downtown. During this time, Squirrel Hill developed into a lively center of Jewish life, with kosher shops, bookstores, and Jewish restaurants. The neighborhood continues to have a large Jewish population but has since become more ethnically diverse.