Tag Archives: Schenley Park

first hockey game in Pittsburgh

66 Years Before the Igloo, the Schenley Park Casino Hosted the First Hockey Game in Pittsburgh

Yesterday, when I was writing about the Catahecassa Springs in Schenley Park I was looking for the date that the Schenley Park ice rink was constructed. While I still don’t know when the Schenley Park ice rink was built, I learned about a building that I had never heard of before, the Schenley Park Casino. Since it is a hockey night in Pittsburgh, it seems fitting that our next post on historic preservation is about the building that hosted the very first hockey game in the City of Pittsburgh.

First home of hockey in Pittsburgh

In 1893 construction began on an elaborate recreation building that was located on the site of what is now the Frick Fine Arts building, just across the bridge from Phipps Conservatory.

The Schenley Park Casino was one of the most elaborate sports and entertainment facilities in the world and it was the first place to have artificial ice, as well as the site of the first hockey game in Pittsburgh. The building opened to the public on May 29, 1895 and was used until it was destroyed by fire on December 17, 1896.

The first artificial ice rink opened in Pittsburgh in 1895. #LetsGoPens

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In researching the history of this building, I learned about the website PittsburghHockey.net which has a detailed page about the Schenlney Park Casino as well as every possible thing you might want to know about hockey in Pittsburgh.

From the PittsburghHockey.net page on the ice rink:

At ice level, which was below ground, the rink was surrounded with three rows of hardwood benches with red velvet cushions. Each end of the rink featured 10 dressing rooms smartly furnished with oil paintings and floor-to-ceiling tapestries. The rooms were owned by politicians and capitalists from the banking, steel, coal and railroad industries and were used for winter carnivals, skating expos and political rallies. In all, the Casino’s management added $140,000 in amenities beyond the original construction cost.

The other fact that really stands out about the Schenley Casino is the size of the place:

Upon entering the building, visitors walked in on a balcony that circled the skating floor 20 feet below. The balcony was 840 feet in length and could accommodate 12,000 people looking down on the skating floor. An article in The Pittsburg Press from December 1885 described a “friendly hockey match” between local hockey clubs in which 10,000 people attended.

For context, PPG Paints area has a capacity of 19,758 and the Igloo could seat 17, 181. To hold a crowd of 12,000, this had to be a large space.

More on the history of Hockey in Pittsburgh

first hockey game in Pittsburgh

Interior of the Casino, the first hockey team in 1895. This is the earliest known image of ice hockey in Pittsburgh. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Pittsburgh Hockey history timeline on PittsburghHockey.net is quite extensive and provides a nice way to browse the history of hockey in Pittsburgh. The timeline really starts with the Schenley Casino and the first hockey exhibition that was played at the Schenley Park Casino on December 30, 1895. Leading up to the Winter Classic in 2011, the New York Times wrote a long article about the history of hockey in Pittsburgh, “Hockey Has Deep Roots in Pittsburgh“, December 30, 2010.

Here is a 2009 video from FSN that details the history of the Schenley Casino and hockey in Pittsburgh:

A few more links for information on the Schenley Park Casino: 

Catahecassa Springs Monument

Catahecassa Fountain in Schenley Park

Update May 15, 2019: Please visit Very Local Pittsburgh for an updated version of this story. 

While running the 5k for Race for the Cure this morning in Schenley Park, I paused to take a photo of the Neill log house in Schenley Park. The Neill log house stands out and is hard to miss, mostly because a little house on the prairie style house surrounded by chain link fence in the middle of a gold course. Two weeks ago I wrote about the John Woods House, which is considered to be the second oldest house in the city of Pittsburgh. The Neill house is considered to be the first.

Catahecassa Springs Monument

Photo of Catahecassa Springs Monument from May 14, 2017.

What I ended up photographing was the monument in front of the Neill house, something that I had never noticed before. Today was the 25th anniversary of the Race for the Cure and given the number of pink ribbon t-shirts in my drawer, I have certainly walked past this place at least a dozen times before. But this is the first time I noticed this stone monument.

There are only a handful of Google search results on “Catahecassa Blackhoof,” all of which note there is a historical marker at this location, but give little other information. As soon as I realized it was a marker for a spring, I knew where to look. In February, City Council voted to approve the following springs as historic landmarks in the City of Pittsburgh:

  • Howe Spring (Shady Side)
  • Voegtly Spring (Spring Hill)
  • Catahecassa Spring (Schenley Park)

The entire nomination form for the Catahecassa Spring is available on the Preservation Pittsburgh website here. By the way, if you are looking for some extensive in-depth reading on local historic landmarks, the “Documents & Archives” section on the Preservation Pittsburgh website contains links to all of the recent nominations that they have submitted.

The Catahecassa Spring monument was built in 1906 to create a public water fountain at the existing Snyder Springs in Schenley Park. These fountains were used by visitors to the park. At some point the spigot was removed and catch basin filled in.

Postcard of Catahecassa Fountain that was included in the nomination for historic designation.

To give some historic context to this fountain, I’ve put together a timeline of key date about info about Chief Catahecassa, Schenley Park and the monument:

  • 1755 – Shawnee Chief Catahecassa was present at General Braddock’s Defeat during the French and Indian War. (Nomination p. 11)
  • 1795 – Catahecassa represented the Shawnee at the signing of the Treaty of Greeneville
  • 1826 – Mary Elizabeth Croghan is born.
  • 1845 – At the age of 15 Mary Elizabeth Croghan elopes with Captain Edward Schenley who is 43 years old.
  • 1889 – Mary Schenley gives 300 acers to the City of Pittsburgh which will be developed into Schenley Park.
  • 1890 – First reference to Snyder springs in Pittsburgh Daily Post article dated June 12, 1890.
  • 1902 – Schenley Golf Course, now know as the Bob O’Connor Golf Course opens.
  • 1906 – Of the extra money left over from the Fourth of July Celebration, $900 was given to erect a public fountain in Schenley Park. (Nomination p. 10)
  • 1906 – Sunday, September 23, the Pittsburgh Gazette Times Newspaper publishes article on the Catahecassa fountain that will be built at the Snyder Springs in Schenley park. (Nomination p. 58).
  • 1907 – May 28, Pittsburgh Press publish photo of completed fountain at Snyder Springs. (Nomination p. 24)
  • 1922 – Fountain was damaged and repaired (Nomination p. 18)
  • 1985 – Schenley Park is added to the National Register of Historic Places.
  • 1996 – Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy is founded to restore and protect Pittsburgh’s parks.
  • 2017 – Pittsburgh City Council give historic designation to Catahecassa Springs.

While Schenley Park is over 100 years old, it is interesting to see that many of the efforts to designate the park and monuments are only in the past 20-30 years.

Have you seen a Pittsburgh monument that you would like to learn more about? Leave a comment below.

links n’at – Best Christmas Commercial, Saxifrage School, SwissMiss and more

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Here are a few links that we’ve shared on Facebook and Twitter that you may have missed.

Treader’s Choice: Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix

Treading Art has been putting together an amazing list of weekend events around Pittsburgh. Each week we will highlight one of those events here on IheartPGH and link you back over to Treading Art’s weekly events post.

This weeks Treader’s Choice event:

Saturday, July 20th

Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix

182377_10151742068014432_197343053_nVintage car races through the hilly streets of Schenley Park, tents full of car aficionados and freebies and your support for the Autism Society of Pittsburgh and Allegheny Valley School. In full swing Saturday but we hear the real party is Sunday.

Schenley Park – Oakland

8am-5pm // FREE

This annual event raises funds to help provide residential care, treatment and support for developmentally disabled individuals in the Pittsburgh region. Their mission is “to maintain a world-class racing event that is free to the public to give all money to our two charities”. Many fun events will be going on throughout the weekend as well as various car shows.

Make sure you check out the rest of the Weekend Threadings!

Guide to Pittsburgh public pools: hours, cost, locations, rules

UPDATE 6/2019 – Please visit Very Local Pittsburgh for an updated pool guide for 2019.

Image courtesy of Citiparks.

Image courtesy of Citiparks.

All 18 Pittsburgh city pools are officially open for the summer, until September 2! Check the Citiparks website to make sure your local pool is open for the day.

While none of the locations provide refreshments, guests are welcome to bring their own food and drinks (no alcohol).

Don’t forget to check out the water carnivals, hosted by a different pool every few days in July. Basically an open pool party for the neighborhood, the carnivals feature unique themes, fun games, raffle prizes, and free food and drinks (normal admission prices apply).

Hours

Mondays – Fridays, 1:00- 7:45 p.m
Saturdays, Sundays & Holidays, 1:00- 5:45 p.m.

Adult Lap Swim:
For individuals 16 years old and older.

Mondays – Fridays, 5-6 p.m.
Every pool

Mondays – Fridays, Noon – 1 p.m.
Highland, Moore, Schenley and Sue Murray

Saturdays – Sundays, Noon – 1 p.m.
Bloomfield, Highland, Jack Stack, Magee, Moore, Ormsby, Phillips, Ream, Riverview, Schenley, Sue Murray, West Penn and Westwood

Family swim:
Any individual under 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult 18 years old or older.

Monday- Friday 5pm-close
Every pool

Cost
Payable by cash, check, or money order only.

Year-long pool passes
Year-long (June-June) pool passes can be purchased at outdoor pools (except Ammon) during operating hours, or at the Citiparks Office on the fourth floor of the City-County building (414 Grant Street, Downtown Pittsburgh).

City of Pittsburgh residents (proof required)

  • Family of four: $60; each additional family member: $10
  • Adult (16 years old and older): $30
  • Youth (3-15 years old): $15
  • Kids (2 and under): free

Free pool tags are available for City residents who are disabled veterans, plus families of active duty military and activated reservist/guard members. Proper ID is required.

City of Pittsburgh residents who receive welfare benefits can buy tags at a 50% discount. A case print-out and proof of identity are required to receive the discount.

Non-City of Pittsburgh residents

  • Adult or youth: $45

Daily pool pass

  • Adult (16 years old and older): $4
  • Youth (3-15 years old): $3

Locations

 [cetsEmbedGmap src=https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=203916488985198549708.0004892c3ba6bd1ec9f3a&msa=0&ll=40.443289,-79.962959&spn=0.128813,0.308647 width=500 height=425 marginwidth=0 marginheight=0 frameborder=0 scrolling=no]

East/Central

Ammon (Hill District)
2217 Bedford Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
412-255-2627

One of the biggest pools in Pittsburgh, they get a lot of camps during the day but quiet down after about 4pm.
Water carnival: July 23

Bloomfield
408 Ella Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15224
412-622-6956

Water carnival: July 9

Highland Park -good for families -one of biggest
151 Lake Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
412-665-3637

With a kiddie pool and a mushroom spray fountain, plus handicap accesible features, this pool is great for families. It’s also one of the biggest and busiest in Pittsburgh and has sand volleyball courts
Water carnival: July 13

Homewood
540 N. Lang Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15208
412-244-4186

Another pool that gets a good amount of camps during the day but is very quiet in the evenings.
Water carnival: July 2

Magee (Greenfield)
745 Greenfield Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
412-422-4265

Known for having one of the best swim teams in the program, this pool next to the recreation center gets decent crowds.
Water carnival: July 9

Schenley Park
1 Overlook Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
412-422-4266

One of busiest, this pool is favored by the college-aged and young adult crowd, with not a lot of kids swimming here. It is a walk-in pool though, which is great for kids and new/apprehensive swimmers.
Water carnival: July 13

West Penn (Polish Hill)
450 30th Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
412-622-6908

Water carnival: July 20

North

Jack Stack (Brighton Heights)
600 Brighton Woods Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
412-766-4577

This newer walk-in pool (great for kids and different swim levels) also has a smaller kiddie pool.
Water carnival: July 4

Riverview (Perry North)
400 Riverview Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15214
412-323-7223

Water carnival: August 6

Sue Murray (North Side)
301 Cedar Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
412-323-7914

Although it gets busy with camps during the day, this walk-in pool with slides is much more quiet in the evenings. It’s also handicap accessible with a lift chair.
Water carnival: July 6

South/West

Banksville
1461 Crane Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15220
412-571-3231

A great (yet quiet) pool for families, this facility has a kiddie pool and fountain, baseball fields, playgrounds, an attached pavilion available for rent, and a brand new deck hockey rink sponsored by the Penguins.
Water carnival: July 11

McBride (Lincoln Place) – good for families
1785 McBride Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15207
412-476-1311

This pool is handicap accessible.
Water carnival: July 23

Moore (Brookline)
1801 Pioneer Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15226
412-571-3223

A big, popular walk-in pool, there’s slides onsite and a large shallow area that’s good for kids.
Water carnival: July 16

Ormsby (South Side)
79 S. 22nd Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
412-488-8377

This pool gets crowded with a wide variety of people, from teens to families to random passersby, and is right on the busline.
Water carnival: July 27

Phillips (Carrick) -good for families
201 Parkfield Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15210
412-885-7498

This quiet, mostly neighborhood pool has a spray pad for kids not quite ready for the actual pools, making it great for families with young kids. There’s also an attached rec center.
Water carnival: July 6

Ream (Mt. Washington)
321 Merrimac Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15211
412-488-8312

Right on the busline, this pool has a lot of programs and a playground.
Water carnival: July 20

Sheraden
1071 Adon Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15204
412-777-5011

Water carnival: July 25

Westwood
100 Guyland Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15205
412-937-3061

Water carnival: July 16

Rules

The pool promotes a family-friendly environment at all times.

  • Pool tags must be worn at all times.
  • Swim suits are required for the pool and deck area.
  • Patrons must shower before entering the pool.
  • No running, dunking, horseplay or profanity.
  • No diving on the shallow side of safety line.
  • Smoking is prohibited inside the facility, including e-cigarettes.
  • Food and drink are permitted only in designated area.
  • Swimmers under six years of age must be accompanied by an adult 16 years or older.
  • The Head Lifeguard must approve all flotation devices. Inflatable flotation devices are prohibited.
  • Lounge chairs & strollers must be kept at a minimum distance of ten feet from poolside.
  • Patrons with medical conditions should inform the Lifeguards.
  • Citiparks is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged property.
  • Complaints – see the Head Lifeguard for procedures.
  • Lifeguards are responsible for your safety, so please follow the rules.
  • Violations of above rules may result in disciplinary action up to and including loss of pool privileges.

Click the links for more information about the four spray parks the city operates, swim lessons, and other swimming programs.

Got information to add? Dying to know an answer to a question about the pools? Facebook us, send us a tweet, or leave a comment below. You can contact the city pools directly here: http://pittsburghpa.gov/city-info/swimming-pools.html