So, have you ever wondered why you would reeeeally look through those dusty books at the recorder of deeds office? Well, if you’re interested in finding out the history of your house, you can march right up to the Allegheny County Office Building downtown and request the history of the transactions on your property. Other ways to find out the history of your home include census records – the census has been taken every year since 1790, and older records are available at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. Many city neighborhoods weren’t even incorporated well into the 20th century, so your house may have even been farmland a mere 100 years ago.
Who knows? Maybe your house was the former abode of a 1920s wiseguy politician, a baseball player from the Homestead Grays or single grandmother who raised 12 children on her own. But that’s the beauty of living in Pittsburgh, especially in a house that’s been sold through generations. My block has more history than some new housing developments with clapboard walls can shake a stick at! 😉 Gotta love that solid brick foundation. And some of us are lucky to have some stained glass or fancy woodwork.
The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh has developed nice little web site with details about how to find out the history of your home. [Photo Courtesy of Dunn Real Estate.]