We added 40 new images to the Brady Stewart Collection Archive web site and created a new Gallery – New Images added March 13th 2012. The new images can be viewed at http://bradystewartphoto.photoshelter.com/gallery-list. All images in the blog are copyrighted by Brady Stewart Studio Inc. If you are interested in downloading an image or to purchase a print, please contact Brady Stewart Studio by phone (724.554.9813) or email bstewartphoto@aol.com.
Renaissance 1, the revitalization of Pittsburgh’s downtown, became a reality in 1946 after the election of David L. Lawrence. Mayor Lawrence worked closely with Richard K. Mellon, Chairman of Mellon Bank, to develop a plan transform the “smokey city” into a more livable and metropolitan city. Most are unaware that for over 30 years (1955-1985), Pittsburgh was home to the 2nd largest number of Fortune 500 companies… next to New York City. The list included; US Steel, National Steel, Rockwell, Rubbermaid, Alcoa, Allegheny International, HJ Heinz, Koppers, Inc, PNC Bank, Mellon Bank, Ampco-Pittsburgh, Bayer Corporation, Fisher Scientific, Gulf Oil, Joy Manufacturing, L.B. Foster Company, LTV Steel, Jones and Laughlin Steel, Mobay, Pittsburgh Steel, PPG Industries, Swindell Dressler, Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel, & Consolidated Coal. It is clear that many of the area companies along with others would not of made Pittsburgh corporate headquarters without Renaissance 1. As you can see with images prior to 1950, the city was a typical manufacturing city in the rust belt; unattractive, dirty, older buildings and not very metropolitan. Since I travelled extensively for business from 1975-2008, I visited nearly all of the rust belt cities and Pittsburgh is the only one that transformed itself into a spectacular skyline. Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, Wheeling, Harrisburg, Buffalo, Syracuse and Rochester are examples of rust belt cities.

Aerial View of Pittsburgh - 1947
Harry Truman’s Housing Act of 1949 was the key piece of legislation that enabled the city of Pittsburgh to clear the blighted areas near the point for Gateway Center. The Act was of great importance in that it governed the way the financial resources of the federal government would shape the growth of American cities in the post-war era. The following photographs were taken by Brady Stewart Studio in support the architectural plans of Ludgate, Lear & Company.

Point-area Companies to be Displaced by Gateway Center Construction
Some of the more well-known companies displaced by Gateway Center construction are: Commonwealth Heating & Lighting, Demmler-Schenck, Rosenbloom Finance, M.A. Baskind, Blaw-Knox Company, Home for Aged Women, Hotel Carr, Pittsburgh Case Sales, Heyl and Patterson, Pittsburgh and WV Railways, Follansbee Steel Company, Point Restaurant and Cafe, and Esser Costume Company. The next image highlights “old Pittsburgh” before it was transformed by the implementation of Renaissance 1 & 2.
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Pittsburgh's Point - 1928
The next image is a street level view of Liberty Avenue at Fancourt Street (left) and Fourth Avenue (right). Company signs in the area include; Commonwealth Heating Company, Eppy’s Parking Lot, M.A. Baskind & Company, Demmler and Schenck Co., and the Albert Brahm and Company.

Liberty Avenue and Fancourt Street - 1950
The next image is a view of the point-area looking across the Boulevard of the Allies and Third Avenue towards Liberty Avenue. Company signs in the area, Eppy’s Parking Lots, Follansbee Steel Corporation, Wonderlite Manufacturing Co., Dravo Corporation, Esser Costume Company, Amoco Service Station, and a Victory Sausage billboard.

Point-Area before Gateway Center Construction - 1950
The last image is an aerial photograph of the Point-area prior to the Gateway Center Construction. The view is looking from the Monongahela River up Ferry Street toward Liberty Avenue and over to the Allegheny River. The Pittsburgh Press Building is in the foreground and the Bessemer and Fulton Buildings in the background.

Aerial View of the Point-Area before Gateway Center Construction - 1950
Additional images of the point-area can be found at http://bradystewartphoto.photoshelter.com/gallery-list… City of Pittsburgh Street Scenes. All images in the blog are copyrighted by Brady Stewart Studio Inc. If you are interested in downloading an image or to purchase a print, please contact Brady Stewart Studio by phone (724.554.9813) or email bstewartphoto@aol.com.
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