Crawford Grill facts for kids
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Crawford Grill No. 2
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Crawford Grill No. 2 (2009)
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 Location in Pittsburgh
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| Location | 2141 Wylie Avenue Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania U.S. |
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| NRHP reference No. | 100005373 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | July 23, 2020 |
The Crawford Grill was a very famous jazz club in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It had two main locations in the Hill District neighborhood. In the 1950s and 60s, the second Crawford Grill was a super popular spot. Many jazz legends played there, including Art Blakey, Miles Davis, and John Coltrane.
This club was an important meeting place for African-American communities in Pittsburgh. It also brought together people from all backgrounds. This was special during the civil rights era, as it was a rare place where different races could socialize peacefully. The Crawford Grill was one of many clubs owned by Black entrepreneurs in the Eastern United States. These clubs helped jazz bands tour during the "golden age" of jazz. Even after tough times in 1968, the club kept going until 2003. Later, in 2010, a group of local investors bought the building. They hoped to bring the famous club back to life.
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History of the Crawford Grill
The Crawford Grill grew out of other social places in the Hill District in the early 1900s. These spots were sometimes called "black-and-tan clubs." They featured Black artists and welcomed customers of all races.
How the Crawford Grill Started
Two early clubs, the Leader House and the Collins Inn, were important. They helped an entrepreneur named William "Gus" Greenlee get into the entertainment business. These clubs later became the Crawford Grill and the Black Musicians' Union Club. Great musicians like pianist Earl Hines and violinist Vernie Robinson played there.
In 1922, Greenlee bought the Collins Inn and renamed it the Paramount Inn. Greenlee became one of the most important African-American businessmen in the Hill District. He also owned the Negro league baseball team, the Pittsburgh Crawfords. Greenlee bought the club in 1933. He made it famous. His newly designed club opened on Christmas Eve in 1933. It was one of the first places in the neighborhood to get a liquor license after Prohibition ended. A newspaper called the Pittsburgh Courier said it would have "cool drinks and good food." The Crawford Grill had different locations over the years.
Crawford Grill No. 1 (1933–1951)
The first Crawford Grill was at 1401 Wylie Avenue. It was inside a hotel called the Leader House. The third floor was for VIPs. People called it "Club Crawford." It was Greenlee's office and reception area.
The audience was a mix of different races and social groups. Locals from the Hill District came, along with powerful Pittsburgh families, athletes, and celebrities. A history professor, Ralph Proctor, said the Grill offered "elegance" in an area often seen as struggling. Nelson Harrison, a trombonist who played there, said it was a "melting pot" with a "peaceful, loving atmosphere." This first club operated until 1951, when a fire destroyed it. The building was later torn down in 1959.
The second floor had the C&G Club. It featured a spinning stage and a mirrored piano. Greenlee promised special nights, including "Chill Night" where he cooked. This club opened in March 1935. Local newspapers called it the Hill's "most popular 'hot spot'."
Crawford Grill No. 2 (1943–2003)
Greenlee opened a second club with his business partner, Joseph Robinson. It was about ten blocks east of the first location. Robinson's son, William "Buzzy" Robinson, managed this club for almost 60 years. He sold the business in 1992 but kept ownership of the building.
In 2001, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission placed a special marker at the site. This last Crawford Grill location (No. 2) faced problems with electricity and plumbing. It closed its doors in 2003 and was put up for sale in 2006.
Legacy and the Crawford Grill Revitalization Project
After Crawford Grill No. 2 closed, the building owner, Buzzy Robinson, looked for buyers. He wanted someone who would respect the club's history. In 2010, an investment group bought the building. They called their plan the "Crawford Grill Revitalization Project." Their goal is to restore the building. They also want to open a new restaurant and nightclub there. This way, the club's important legacy can continue.
Historical Marker
A blue and gold historical marker was placed outside the Crawford Grill building. The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission unveiled it on April 7, 2001. This event was part of a conference about Black history in Pennsylvania. Important people attended, including Pittsburgh councilman Sala Udin and the building's owner, William "Buzzie" Robinson.
In Popular Culture
- The Crawford Grill is mentioned in the play Fences by August Wilson.
- It is also referenced in August Wilson’s one-person show, “How I Learned What I Learned.”
- The club is mentioned in Kevin Hazzard's book "American Sirens."
