Market Square (Pittsburgh) facts for kids
Market Square
|
|
| Location | Market Square in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA |
|---|---|
| Built/founded | 1890s |
| CPHD designated | December 28, 1992 |
| PHLF designated | 2009 |
Market Square is a lively public space in Downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It's where Forbes Avenue and Market Street meet. This historic spot was once home to Pittsburgh's very first courthouse, jail, and newspaper. Today, it's a popular place for people to gather. You'll find many restaurants, cafes, and shops around the square. There are also apartments and offices in the buildings nearby.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
Market Square was first planned in 1784 by George Woods and Thomas Vickroy. They were designing the streets for Downtown Pittsburgh. It was first called "Diamond Square" or "Diamond Market." This name came from an old word for a public gathering place.
Early Government Center
By the mid-1790s, the first courthouse for Allegheny County was built in Market Square. This building was used until 1836. On December 7, 1791, the first session of the United States District Court for Western Pennsylvania happened here.
In 1794, Pittsburgh, which was then a "borough" (a small town with its own government), set up a public market here. Market Square was also the site of Pittsburgh's first city hall. The city hall stayed here until 1872.
A Place for Meetings
On May 26, 1858, the city hall building in Market Square hosted an important meeting. Different groups of Presbyterians came together here. This meeting led to the creation of the United Presbyterian Church of North America.
The 20th Century and Beyond
.jpg)
Throughout the 1800s and 1900s, Market Square was a busy place. Many social and business activities happened here. By the 1970s, however, the square started to decline. There was more traffic, more crime, and businesses began to close.
To help save the area, people worked to make Market Square a historic landmark. This helped protect its old buildings and unique style.
Modern Makeover
Major changes began in August 2009. The goal was to turn the square into a European-style piazza. It fully reopened in late 2010. Cars were rerouted to make the square more friendly for people walking. More outdoor seating was added for visitors.
New apartments, condos, and offices were built nearby. These new spaces also included shops on the ground floor. These changes helped Market Square grow. Many new restaurants opened in 2011, making the square even more popular.
