National Register of Historic Places

Mexican War Streets Historic District (Boundary Increase)

Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Listed
September 3, 2008
Type
District
Period
Listed
Ref No.
08000845

About this property

The Mexican War Streets, originally known as the "Buena Vista Tract," is a historic district in the Central Northside neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. The district is densely filled with restored row houses, community gardens, and tree-lined streets and alleyways. The area dates to around the time of the Mexican–American War and a number of streets are named after battles and generals of the war. During the late nineteenth century, Allegheny, Pennsylvania (later annexed by Pittsburgh), became known for its stately homes that were occupied by some of the area's wealthy families. One such area became known as the Mexican War Streets. It was developed from land owned by William Robinson Jr., an ex-mayor of the city of Allegheny, who subdivided the property into streets and lots in 1847. Surveys for the development were made by Alexander Hays. A number of the streets are named after battles and generals of the Mexican–American War, including Buena Vista Street (named for the Battle of Buena Vista), Monterey Street (for the Battle of Monterrey), Palo Alto Street (for the Battle of Palo Alto), Resaca Place (for the Battle of Resaca de la Palma), Sherman Avenue (for Thomas W. Sherman), and Taylor Avenue (for Zachary Taylor). Fremont Street (currently Brighton Place) had been named in recognition of John C. Frémont. The 27-acre (11 ha) district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 with 119 buildings deemed to contribute to the historic character of the district. In 2008, the district's listing was increased to include an additional 288 contributing buildings over a 25.7-acre (10.4 ha) area. It was expanded again in 2018, when the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas overturned the decision of the Pittsburgh City Council to deny the district's expansion. The general boundaries of the Mexican War Streets Historic District are Brighton Road to Federal Street (on the east and west) and North Avenue to Jefferson Street (on the south and north). As part of the designation, all exterior alterations to buildings within the Historic District that are visible from a public street or way must be reviewed and approved by the City of Pittsburgh's Historic Review Commission.

Location

Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
40.45965, -80.01232

Categories

ARCHITECTURE
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
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Spotlight
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Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
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Nearby Historic Sites

Mexican War Streets Historic District,
Listed
0.2 mi
House at 200 West North Avenue
Modern
0.3 mi
Old Allegheny Rows Historic District
Listed
0.3 mi
Houses at 2501-2531 Charles Street
Industrial
0.4 mi
Brashear, John A., House and Factory
Industrial
0.4 mi

Nearby Battles

Battle of Fort Duquesne Approach 1755
1758Colonial
0.8 mi
French and Indian War – Grant's Defeat at Fort Duquesne 1758
1758Colonial
1.3 mi
Siege of Fort Pitt (Pontiac's Rebellion)
1763Colonial
1.3 mi

Questions about this property

When was Mexican War Streets Historic District (Boundary Increase) listed on the National Register?

Mexican War Streets Historic District (Boundary Increase) was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on September 3, 2008.

What type of historic resource is Mexican War Streets Historic District (Boundary Increase)?

Mexican War Streets Historic District (Boundary Increase) is classified as a district in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Mexican War Streets Historic District (Boundary Increase)?

The period of significance for Mexican War Streets Historic District (Boundary Increase) is recorded as the listed era.

Can I research the history near Mexican War Streets Historic District (Boundary Increase)?

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