At the start of the 1910s, Pittsburgh was still living up to its nickname as the “Steel City.” The city’s skyline was dominated by towering smokestacks, and the air was filled with the clang of machinery and the hum of progress. The steel industry was the lifeblood of Pittsburgh. It offered jobs, prosperity, and an identity. But beneath the surface, things were heating up. In the summer of 1919, Pittsburgh faced one of the largest strikes in American history when steelworkers took to the streets demanding better wages and working conditions.
But the 1910s weren’t all about work and strife. Pittsburgh was also a city of culture and creativity. The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, founded in 1896, was hitting its stride and was rapidly becoming a major player in the world of classical music. The orchestra played at the Carnegie Music Hall – a place where Pittsburghers could escape the grime and grind of the city and lose themselves in the beauty of music.
The 1910s were a golden age for the Pittsburgh Pirates. They started the decade on a high, winning the World Series in 1909, and continued to be a powerhouse in the National League. If you were lucky enough to snag a ticket to Forbes Field, you’d experience the thrill of the game and the roar of the crowd – sounds that still echo in the city’s collective memory.
However, as the decade ended, Pittsburgh faced a significant challenge – the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918. The city was hit hard, and daily life was disrupted. But in true Pittsburgh fashion, the city rallied together. Hospitals, churches, and community centers transformed into makeshift clinics to take care of the sick and the city endured.
