South Side Park, like much of Pittsburgh, underwent a relatively rapid and dramatic transformation from wooded slopes to the site of industrial operations. The area that makes up South Side Park today - and much of the South Side - was part of the acreage given to John Ormsby in recognition of his military service in the French and Indian War. By the 1870s, portions of the estate were devoted to coal mining and coke ovens.

Deforested South Side Park plateau looking north, the year 1910. Photo courtesy of Bill Landon.

Atlas of the cities of Pittsburgh, Allegheny, and the

adjoining boroughs, G.M. Hopkins & Co.

Industrial and residential development continued in and around the park through the subsequent decades. The streams disappeared from city maps and an incline was constructed to serve the growing Slopes and Hilltop neighborhoods.

By 1910, the area around had experienced near-total deforestation, as shown in the photograph at far right. Two brickyards, Sankey Brothers and Benz, were in operation along Quarry St.

The pumping station on Mission St. and a

public playground at the current location of the

Fort had been developed by the early 1920s.

The City first acquired land that would become

part of the park in 1934 with the gift of a 5.5

acre parcel along Saint Patrick St.

By the mid-1950s, recreation facilities and

the loop road that would become the South

Side Trail are visible, as well as second-growth

forest. There is a continuous residential fabric

surrounding most of the park.

Recreational amenities like ball fields and the

Neville Ice Arena were constructed in the latter

part of the 20th century. The re-forestation of

the park, with the exception of programmed

areas and the plateau, is evident in this 1993

aerial image

The early 2010s saw the removal of the ice rink

and the conversion of an under-utilized ball

field into Bandi Schaum Community Gardens.

Invasive species removal and trail work were

undertaken by several community groups,

often in partnership with the South Side Slopes

Neighborhood Association.

This is a shot of the St. Claire incline - you can see the Mission Street pumphouse too

This is a turn of the century picture of Mount Oliver and Keeling Coal Inclines, and it is shown from the base of the Knoxville Incline.

1912 photo taken behind pump station

1949 view of South Side, including pumping station and park.

Picture taken of the park in 1965

This picture is a snapshot of an article about the Calig Steel Barrel company fire.

Another snapshot of an article about the Calig Steel Barrel company fire.

Another picture of an article about the Calig Steel Barrel company fire.

Picture of the Calig Steel Barrel company fire.

Another picture of the Calig Steel Barrel company fire.

Picture and description of the keeling coke incline.