Allegheny Commons (Pittsburgh) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Allegheny Commons Park
Location of the Allegheny Commons Park in Pittsburgh
Location	Allegheny Center neighborhood, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Nearest city	Pittsburgh
Created	1867
Status	Open all year
Designation	November 26, 1990

Allegheny Commons is a large municipal park located in Pittsburgh's North Side area. This park surrounds the neighborhood of Allegheny Center. It was created in 1867, making it the oldest park in the city of Pittsburgh.

Park History and Design

This park was once open land where animals could graze freely. It surrounded the first 32 blocks of what was then called Allegheny City. In the 1860s, experts who design landscapes were hired by Allegheny City. They helped turn this open land into the beautiful park we see today.

Allegheny Commons Park has three main sections. All of them are located in the Allegheny Center neighborhood. These parts are called Allegheny Commons Park West, North, and East. The West Park section is the biggest of the three. It has been home to the National Aviary since 1952. The National Aviary is a special place where you can see many different kinds of birds.

A group called The Allegheny Commons Initiative helps take care of the park. This non-profit organization works with the city. They help by raising money and managing projects to keep the park looking great.

The Old Prison Site

From 1826 to 1880, a very old prison was located in the area that is now part of the park. This was the first large prison built west of the Atlantic Coast. It was taken down in 1880. A few blocks away, a new prison with the same name was finished in 1882. It was built along the Ohio River.

The famous writer Charles Dickens visited Pittsburgh in 1842. He also visited this old prison. Some people think that what he saw there might have given him ideas for his famous story, A Christmas Carol.

This site is also known for holding 118 soldiers from the Confederate Army. They were captured during a battle known as Morgan's Raid. The soldiers were held at the prison from August 1863 until March 1864. After that, they were moved to a military fort in New Jersey.

Gallery

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  Gus Kalaris, owner of Gus and Yiayia's.

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  Gus and Yiayia's is a historic shaved ice stand in Pittsburgh's Allegheny Commons Park.

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  "Penitentiary near Pittsburgh" by Karl Bodmer, 1832–1839.