South Side (Pittsburgh) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
South Side
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Neighborhoods of Pittsburgh
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Southside rowhouses typical of late 19th century.
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| Nickname(s):
souseside
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 South Side
Location in Pennsylvania
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| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Allegheny |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
The South Side (also called "Southside") is a lively area in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. It sits right along the Monongahela River, just across from Downtown Pittsburgh. The South Side is actually made up of two main parts: the South Side Flats and the South Side Slopes. Both areas have a local leader, Bruce Kraus, who helps represent them in the city.
The main street, East Carson Street, is full of small shops, tasty restaurants, and fun places to visit. The South Side is known for its many rowhouses, which are homes built close together in a row. It's also easy to get around the South Side using public transit. Many people who work downtown choose to live here because it's close and easy to commute.
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History of South Side Pittsburgh
The South Side area was first known as Birmingham. It became part of Pittsburgh in 1872. Many early settlers were from Germany and later from Eastern Europe. They came to Pittsburgh to work in big factories and industries. A man named Dr. Nathaniel Bedford planned much of Birmingham. He named many streets after his friends and family, which is why you see names like Jane, Sarah, and Carson streets.
For a long time, the South Side was a major center for heavy industry. The Jones and Laughlin Steel Company was a huge steel mill located here. It closed in the 1980s. The land where it once stood has since been rebuilt with new businesses and shops. The Pittsburgh Terminal Properties building, finished in 1906, was once the biggest warehouse between New York and Chicago. It was perfect for storing goods because it was close to the river, train tracks, and roads. Today, this building is called River Walk Corporate Centre and has offices and other businesses.
In recent years, more and more students have moved to the South Side. Students from Duquesne University, University of Pittsburgh, and Carnegie Mellon University often live or spend time here. You can even walk across the South Tenth Street Bridge over the Monongahela River to get to Duquesne University. Because of all the students and young people, the South Side has become a popular spot for nightlife in Pittsburgh.
South Side's Economy and Growth
Important streets in the South Side include East Carson Street, Josephine Street, and South 18th Street. The main business area is along East Carson Street, which runs through the entire South Side. The Birmingham Bridge makes it easy to reach the South Side from Oakland, which is about 2 miles away. Station Square is also nearby, about 1.5 miles west, and Mt. Washington is 2.5 miles away.
East Carson Street is filled with restaurants, shops, and places to eat, which are very important for the South Side's economy. The SouthSide Works is another big shopping and entertainment area. It has many stores and restaurants. The city worked to bring new life to the business district. This has greatly improved the South Side's economy. House sales have increased, and empty buildings are now being used.
Many businesses choose to open offices here because rents can be lower than in Downtown Pittsburgh. The old Pittsburgh Terminal Properties building, now River Walk Corporate Center, houses different types of businesses. These include light industrial companies, professional offices, and storage facilities.
The South Side Local Development Company (LDC) helps the neighborhood's economy grow. They have a program that works with banks to fund projects. These projects create jobs and build new homes. Since 1982, the LDC has helped start over 250 new businesses. They have also helped fix up more than 200 stores and build over 700 new homes. This work has made the South Side a more popular place to live and visit.
South Side Flats: A Historic Area
The South Side Flats has one of the longest Victorian main streets in the United States. The entire East Carson Street is a special historic district. This means there are strict rules about how the outside of the buildings must look. This neighborhood is a great example of how old buildings can be updated and reused to help a community grow.
The famous Jones and Laughlin Steel Company was once located here. After it closed in the 1980s, the land became the SouthSide Works shopping and entertainment complex. In the 1980s, the neighborhood was struggling. But by protecting its historic buildings, the South Side Flats found a new and bright future. Today, it's a very popular neighborhood known for its many restaurants and entertainment options.
However, popularity can bring challenges. Sometimes, older residents and new, younger people have different ideas about the neighborhood. Also, finding parking in the South Side can be very difficult. The streets are narrow, and there are many buildings, leaving little space for cars. City leaders have worked to improve safety, and crime in the bar district has decreased. This is partly due to new security cameras and more police patrols.
South Side Slopes: Pittsburgh's Steep Hills
The South Side Slopes is a very steep neighborhood located just south of the South Side Flats. Some parts of the Slopes are so steep that special fire trucks are needed to drive on the winding, narrow streets. In some areas, the hills are so steep that public staircases are used as streets! These public steps even have street signs and homes built along them.
Public steps are common in hilly Pittsburgh. The city has over 700 sets of steps. They help people get to neighborhoods that would otherwise be hard to reach.
Images for kids
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Another view of historic East Carson Street
