In 1903, a Cleveland-born businessman named Franklin Felix Nicola, who had moved to Pittsburgh in the mid-1890s, bought the last parcels of land in Oakland left after the death of heiress Mary Schenley that year. Nicola had already built a glamorous hotel on a nearby site that he’d purchased from Schenley in 1897, and part of what he planned for the additional land was a residential enclave of the highest quality. By 1906, he had commissioned several well-regarded local architects to design model houses in various architectural styles common at the time. Over the following 15 years, Nicola constructed 96 houses on the flat portion of his site (another 39 were built on a terrace of land above this), subject to design guidelines and incorporating innovative features like underground electrical and telephone lines. This tour will visit the flat, gridded part of Schenley Farms, which, to this day, rewards pedestrians with multiple charms.
Tour Meeting Point: Parking pad in front of the Latin American Cultural Center, 4338 Bigelow Boulevard, Pittsburgh 15213
Tour Ending Point: Schenley Plaza, 4100 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh 15213
Please arrive 10 minutes before the start time in order to ensure that the tour gets underway on time. Dress for the weather (Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation’s tours proceed in all weather!), and wear comfortable clothing. By purchasing a ticket for this tour, you acknowledge that you are physically able to undertake the tour, assume all personal risk during the tour, consent to being photographed during the tour, and permit PHLF to use your image in our communications.
This tour is handicap accessible. Please notify us of your needs two business days in advance of the tour.