Bost Building facts for kids
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Bost Building
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Front (south) elevation and east profile, 2008
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | 621-623 East Eighth Avenue, Homestead, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1892 |
| Part of | Homestead Historic District (ID90000696) |
| NRHP reference No. | 99000627 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | January 20, 1999 |
| Designated NHL | January 20, 1999 |
| Designated CP | May 10, 1990 |
The Bost Building, also known as the Columbia Hotel, is a historic building in Homestead, Pennsylvania. It stands on East Eighth Avenue, which is also PA 837. This building was finished just before the famous Homestead Strike in 1892.
During the strike, it became the main office for the Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers. Reporters from all over the world also used it to send their news stories. The Bost Building is the only important building from that strike that is still standing today. It is part of the Homestead Historic District. In 1999, it was named a National Historic Landmark.
After the strike, the building was used as a hotel and a place for people to rent rooms. Today, it is the main office and visitor center for the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area.
Contents
Visiting the Bost Building Museum
The Bost Building is now a museum where you can learn about the area's past. It shows the history of local industries, like steel, and how people lived and worked.
What You Can See
- Strike History: Two rooms have been restored to look like they did during the 1892 Homestead Strike. You can learn about the workers' struggle.
- Steel Works: Another room focuses on the history of the Homestead Steel Works. This was a very important steel factory nearby.
- Local Information: Visitors can also get maps and information about other interesting places in the area. You can find out about driving tours that show communities built around steel, coal, aluminum, and glass industries.
About the Building Itself
The Bost Building is about 40 feet wide and 90 feet long. It is located at the corner of East Eighth and Heisel Avenue. The building has three stories.
Outside the Building
- Materials: It is made of brick laid in a common pattern. The building sits on a strong stone foundation. It has a flat asphalt roof.
- Details: Stone strips run above the windows on the upper floors. These strips are called lintels. The roofline has decorative brick steps called corbels on the south and east sides. On the ground floor, there is a modern glass and aluminum storefront.
Inside the Building
- First Floor: The first floor is now the museum. It still has its original wooden floors. You can also see old-fashioned wallpaper. One room tells the story of the strike. Another room shows how the building was fixed up.
- Upper Floors: The second and third stories used to be guest rooms. They have been kept mostly the same since the strike.
- Hidden Message: On the second-floor stairs, some paint has peeled off. Underneath, you can see graffiti on the plaster. It says "Homestead 1892" and some names. People think this writing might have been left by someone during the strike itself.
History of the Bost Building
The Bost Building was built in 1892. It was meant to be a hotel for new workers coming to the big Homestead Steel Works. The steel factory was right next door.
The Homestead Strike of 1892
The building was not fully finished inside when the steel company decided to "lock out" its workers. This means the company stopped the workers from coming to work. This event started the big Homestead Strike. The workers' union found the Bost Building perfect for their headquarters. From its upper floors, they could see the factory clearly.
Reporters from America and Britain came to cover the strike. They used a telegraph office on the first floor to send their news stories home. During some of the fights, deputy sheriffs and Pinkerton agents were captured. They were held in the Bost Building to keep them safe from harm.
After the Strike
After the strike ended, the building became a hotel and a place to rent rooms. However, it was never very successful for a long time. The main changes to the building over the years were a new storefront in the 1900s. Also, some changes were made to the upper floors later on to meet modern fire safety rules.
