West Liberty Avenue (1915-1965)

An Independence Day parade on West Liberty
Avenue in Dormont in 1930.
An Independence Day parade procession passes Potomac Avenue on West Liberty Avenue in Dormont, in 1930.

By September 1915, the West Liberty Avenue improvement project was well under way. Work progressed quickly all along the roadway, from the city line at Dormont through to the Warrington Avenue intersection. By the end of the year, the work was nearly completed, with sewers laid and a four-lane street surface paved in belgian block.

West Liberty Avenue had been completely transformed and prepared to serve the surrounding communities into the 21st Century. Although many old homes were sacrificed, the end result was extraordinary by the standards of the day.

Shown here are a random collection of photos showing West Liberty Avenue (part of State Route 19) for the half century (1915-1965) following the completion of that reconstruction effort.

Looking south towards Pioneer from the service station
at the intersection with Saw Mill Run Boulevard in 1931.
Looking south towards Pioneer Avenue from the service station at the intersection with Saw Mill Run Boulevard in 1931.

In the years that followed, other than occasional resurfacing and the usual changes in storefronts, the street remained basically the same. In 2010, the entire roadway was again thoroughly refurbished and the century old trolley tracks, that had been covered under layers of asphalt, were removed.

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September 1915

A Beechview home just south of Capital Avenue.    Workers near Ray Avenue.
A Beechview home just south of Capital Avenue (left) and workers near Ray Avenue.

 

Workers near Ray Avenue.    Workers near Ray Avenue.
Construction workers near Ray Avenue.

 

Construction work near Capital Avenue.    Construction work near Capital Avenue.
Construction work near Capital Avenue.

 

Trolleys pass by construction workers near Capital Avenue.    Storefronts on the Beechview side, near Capital Avenue.
Trolleys pass by construction workers near Capital Avenue (left) and storefronts on the Beechview side near Capital.

 

A man stands across from Capital near Curran Hill Avenue.    Construction work near a busy Capital Avenue intersection.
A man stands across from Capital near Curran Hill Avenue (left) and construction work near a busy Capital Avenue.

 

Work on a gas line near Capital Avenue.    Work on the sewer line near Capital Avenue.
Work proceeds on the gas line (left) and the sewer line (right) near Capital Avenue.

 

A family waits for the streetcar
at the Capital Avenue Car Stop.    A home stands on the hillside across from
Stetson Street, at the Stetson Car Stop.
A well-dressed family wait for the streetcar at Capital Avenue (left) and a home across from the Stetson Car Stop.

 

Two 39-Brookline streetcars approach Capital Avenue.
Two inbound 39-Brookline streetcars approach the Capital Avenue Car Stop.

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October 1915

A man with a broom at Ray Avenue.    Beechview homes between Ray Avenue and Capital.
A man with a broom stands at Ray Avenue (left) and Beechview homes between Ray and Capital Avenue.

 

View looking north towards Capital Avenue.    View looking north from Stetson
Street to Cape May Avenue.
A view looking north towards Capital Avenue (left) and looking north from Stetson Street to Cape May Avenue.

 

Homes across from Stetson Street
looking towards Cape May Avenue.    A wagon of James A McAteer Wholesale Grocers at Cape May.
Homes across from Stetson Street (left) and a delivery wagon of McAteer Wholesale Grocers at Cape May Avenue.

 

Work on the streetcar tracks at Cape May Avenue.    Bupp Contractor and Builder across from Cape May.
Work on the streetcar tracks at Cape May Avenue (left) and Bupp Contractor and Builder across from Cape May.

 

The signpost at Brookside Avenue.    A view from Brookside Avenue looking
north towards Sauter Place.
The signpost at Brookside Avenue (left) and a view from Brookside looking north towards Sauter Place.

 

A view of homes above Brookside Avenue.
A view of the homes on the hillside next to Brookside Avenue.

 

A home at the intersection with Sauter Place.    A Beechview home across from Sauter Place.
The home at the intersection with Sauter Place (left) and the hillside home across the street.

 

Looking north towards Pioneer Avenue.    Looking south towards Pioneer Avenue.
A view looking north towards Pioneer Avenue (left) and a view towards Pioneer looking south from Warrington Avenue.
Visible beyond Pioneer are the homes along Sauter Place, which is where the Matthew Bronze complex stands today.

 

The Shaffner home near Pioneer Avenue.    A view from Warrington Avenue looking
south towards Pioneer Avenue.
The Shaffner home near Pioneer Avenue (left) and a view looking south from Warrington Avenue.

 

A view from Pioneer Avenue looking
north towards Warrington Avenue.    The cobblestones that lined the path of the
Pittsburgh Railways streetcar line.
A view from Pioneer looking north towards Warrington (left) and the belgian block along the path of the streetcar tracks.

 

The Cape May intersection.
The intersection of West Liberty Avenue and Cape May Avenue.

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December 1915

The Brookline Junction.
The Brookline Junction, at the intersection of West Liberty Avenue, Wenzell Avenue and Brookline Boulevard.

 

Kerr's blacksmith shop at Wenzell Avenue.    The walway to a home across from Belle Isle Avenue.
Kerr's blacksmith shop at the Brookline Junction (left) and the walkway to a home across from Belle Isle Avenue.

 

A wagon stands at the intersection with Belle Isle Avenue.    Homes at Belle Isle Avenue.
A wagon stands at the intersection with Belle Isle Avenue (left) and homes near Belle Isle.

 

A view towards Pauline Avenue from Belle Isle Avenue.    The home at the intersection with Pauline Avenue.
A view towards Pauline Avenue from Belle Isle Avenue (left) and the home at the intersection with Pauline.

 

The laundry at the intersection with Ray Avenue.    A view from Ray Avenue towards Capital Avenue.
The laundry at Ray Avenue (left) and a view from Ray towards Capital Avenue.

 

Approaching Capital Avenue, looking north.    The intersection with Curran Hill Avenue.
Looking north towards Capital Avenue (left) and the Curran Hill intersection.

 

A view from Capital Avenue looking
north towards Cape May Avenue.    Buildings just north of Stetson Street.
A view looking from Capital Avenue north towards Cape May Avenue (left) and buildings near Stetson Street.

 

A view from Stetson Street north towards Cape May.    A view from Stetson Street north towards Cape May.
Two views from Stetson Street looking north towards Cape May Avenue.

 

Workers cut Belgian Block for the roadway at Cape May.    A pile of Belgian Block to be used on the roadway.
Workers cutting Belgian Blocks for the roadway at Cape May Avenue.

 

A view from Cape May Avenue towards Brookside Avenue.    A wagon stands across from Brookside Avenue.
A view from Cape May Avenue north towards Brookside Avenue (left) and a wagon standing across from Brookside.

 

A view looking north from Brookside Avenue.    A traveller approaches the intersection with Pioneer Avenue.
A view looking north from Brookside Avenue (left) and a traveller approaches the Pioneer Avenue intersection.

 

A shack at Pioneer Avenue.    A view from near Pioneer Avenue looking
north towards Warrington Avenue.
A shack stands at Pioneer Avenue (left) and a view from near Pioneer looking north towards Warrington Avenue.

 

A view from Warrington Avenue looking
north towards Pioneer Avenue.    Wagons near Warrington Avenue.
A view looking south towards Pioneer Avenue (left) and wagons parked near Warrington Avenue.

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January 1916

West Liberty Hotel at 1100 West Liberty Avenue - January 24, 1916.
Coal delivery at Michael Born's West Liberty Hotel, located at 1100 West Liberty Avenue, on January 24, 1916.

 

West Liberty Hotel at 1100 West Liberty Avenue - January 24, 1916.    West Liberty Hotel at 1100 West Liberty Avenue - January 24, 1916.
Michael Born's West Liberty Hotel and out buildings, located at 1100 West Liberty Avenue, on January 24, 1916.
Opened in 1896, the hotel had a popular restaurant/bar and often served as a borough meeting place. Sold in
1923 to Charles McKim for $45,000, it was renamed Tunnel-View Hotel to coincide with the opening of the
Liberty Tunnels. In operation until 1928, the establishment was again sold. The new owner tore down the
wooden structure and installed a People's auto service station at the now crowded tunnel intersection.

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June 1916

A view from the city line near Dormont
looking north towards the Brookline Junction.    A view from the city line near Dormont
looking north towards the Brookline Junction.
Two views from the city line near Dormont looking north towards the Brookline Junction.

 

Homes near the city line at Stapleton Avenue.    Looking south towards Dormont from the Brookline Junction.
Brookline homes along West Liberty Avenue (left) and a view from the Brookline Junction looking towards Dormont.

 

A view from Wenzell Avenue looking south towards Dormont.    Kerr's Blacksmith Shop.
A view from Wenzell Avenue looking south towards Dormont (left) and business at Kerr's blacksmith shop.

 

View from the Brookline Junction looking
north towards Belle Isle Avenue.    Steps to a home on the hillside
across from Pauline Avenue.
A view from the Brookline Junction looking north towards Belle Isle Avenue (left)
and the steps to a hillside home across from Pauline Avenue.

 

The home at the Pauline Avenue intersection.    The laundry at Ray Avenue.
The home at the intersection with Pauline Avenue (left) and the laundrey at the corner of Ray Avenue.

 

View north from Ray Avenue towards Capital Avenue.    Looking south towards the
bend that leads to Capital Avenue.
A view looking north towards Capital Avenue (left) and the bend that leads to Capital Avenue.

 

Approaching the Capital Avenue intersection.    The intersection with Capital Avenue.
Approaching the Capital Avenue intersection (left) and the building that stood at the crossroads.

 

The intersection with Stetson Street.    A view from Stetson Street looking
north towards Cape May.
The intersection with Stetson Street (left) and a view from Stetson looking north towards Cape May Avenue.

 

Beechview homes between Stetson and Cape May.    A woman stands at the Cape May Car Stop.
Beechview homes between Stetson Street and Cape May Avenue (left) and a woman stands at the Cape May Car Stop.

 

A view towards Cape May from Stetson Street.    Bupp Contractor and Builder across from Cape May.
A view looking north from Stetson Street to Cape May Avenue (left) and Bupp Contractor and Builder at Cape May.

 

A car parked at Brookside Avenue.    A view from Brookside Avenue looking
north towards Sauter Place.
A car parked at Brookside Avenue (left) and a view looking from Brookside north towards Sauter Place.

 

Homes across the street from Sauter Place.    A traveler heading south passes the
intersection with Sauter Place.
Homes across the street from Sauter Place (left) and a southbound traveler passes the Sauter Place intersection.

 

West Liberty Avenue in Dormont.
West Liberty Avenue in Dormont, looking from Tennessee Avenue towards Potomac Avenue and Pioneer Avenue.

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1917

The Liberty Tunnels future location - 1918.
Just north of Pioneer Avenue, these homes were numbered 2801, 2803, 2805, 2809 and 2811 left to right.
The homes have since been razed and the property is now the Cochran Volkswagon dealership parking lot.

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1918

Sauter Place - 1918    Trolley heads towards Pioneer Avenue - 1918
The homes in Sauter Place in 1918 (left) and a trolley car heading north towards Pioneer Avenue in 1918.

 

The Liberty Tunnels future location - 1918.
The intersection of West Liberty Avenue and Warrington Avenue in 1918 before the Liberty Tunnels.

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1920-1960

Looking southwest along West Liberty Avenue
from Pioneer Avenue in Dormont (c1920).
Looking southwest along West Liberty Avenue, from the intersection with Pioneer Avenue, in 1920.

 

A view south from Pioneer Avenue looking
towards Potomac Avenue in 1920.    The Independance Day parade route along
West Liberty Avenue in Dormont.
A view south from Pioneer Avenue towards Potomac Avenue (left), and the Independence Day parade route, in the 1920s.

 

The William Haas Estate, at the corner
of West Liberty and Curran Hill - circa 1923.
The William Haas estate home at the corner of West Liberty and Curran Hill Avenues, circa 1923.

 

A home across from Saranac Avenue in 1921.    A store near Saranac Street in 1922.
A home across from Saranac Street in 1921 (left) and a store near Saranac Street in 1922.

 

A bar at the corner of Saranac Avenue in 1922.    The Tunnel View Hotel at the intersection
of West Liberty Avenue and Warrington Avenue.
A bar at the corner of Saranac (left) in 1922, and the Tunnel View Hotel at the intersection with Warrington, in 1925.

 

Rohrich Cadillac - West Liberty Avenue - 1950
Liberty Auto Sales, at the corner of West Liberty Avenue and Dormont Avenue, shown here in 1923.

 

Twin-Tube Auto Repair at the intersection
with Saw Mill Run Road in 1925.
Twin-Tube Auto Repair at the intersection with Saw Mill Run Road and Warrington Avenue in 1925.

 

West Liberty Avenue in 1925 looking
north towards Potomac Avenue.
West Liberty Avenue in 1925, looking north in the direction of Potomac Avenue and on towards Pioneer Avenue.

 

West Liberty Avenue in Dormont - 1926.
West Liberty Avenue in Dormont, looking north from Tennessee Avenue towards Pioneer Avenue, in 1926.

 

West Liberty Avenue in Dormont - 1926.
Road improvements along West Liberty Avenue in Dormont, near Biltmore Avenue, in 1926.
The Bethany Lutheran Church, at Park Boulevard, is in the distance to the left.

 

The intersection of Saw Mill Run Boulevard
and West Liberty Avenue in 1930.
The intersection of Saw Mill Run Boulevard and West Liberty Avenue, at the Liberty Tubes, in 1930.

 

At the Pauline Avenue intersection - October 28, 1929.
Looking north at thehe intersection of Pauline Avenue and West Liberty Avenue on October 28, 1929.

 

A view looking south towards Pioneer Avenue in 1931.    A car gassing up at the service station at the
intersection with Saw Mill Run Boulevard in 1931.
A view looking south towards Pioneer Avenue (left), and a car gassing up at the service station located at
the intersection of Saw Mill Run Boulevard and West Liberty Avenue in 1931.

 

An Independance Day parade procession passes
Potomac Avenue in Dormont in 1930.    West Liberty Avenue in Dormont looking north
towards Pioneer Avenue in 1930.
A parade procession passes Potomac Avenue in Dormont (left), and a view looking north towards Pioneer Avenue, in 1930.

 

A landslide just south of Pioneer Avenue in 1931.
Police divert cars around a landslide on the southbound lane, just south of Pioneer Avenue, in December 1931.

 

A motorcycle with sidecar stands at the service
station at Saw Mill Run Boulevard in 1931.    A view south from Saw Mill Run Boulevard in 1931.
A motorcycle with sidecar stands at the gas station at Saw Mill Run (left) and a view south towards Hargrove Street.

 

The South Portals of the Liberty Tunnels in 1932.    The Saw Mill Run Bridge that leads to the tunnels.
The South Portals of the Liberty Tunnels (left), and the Saw Mill Run Bridge that leads to the tunnel portals, in 1932.

 

Looking south from above the Liberty
Tunnels South Portals in 1932.
Looking south towards Brookline from atop the south portals of the Liberty Tunnels in 1932. Pioneer Avenue is
visible to the left, heading up the hill towards the homes in the Paul Place Plan and West Liberty School.

 

The intersection of West Liberty Avenue and
Saw Mill Run Boulevard in 1932.    The intersection of West Liberty Avenue and
Saw Mill Run Boulevard in 1932.
Two views of the intersection of West Liberty Avenue and Saw Mill Run Boulevard in 1932.

 

A safety sign outside the Liberty Tunnels in 1932.    The Brookline Junction in 1936.
A traffic safety sign at the entrance to the Liberty Tunnels in 1932 (left), and the Brookline Junction in 1936.

 

West Liberty Avenue Between Pioneer and Potomac Avenues - 1934.
West Liberty Avenue buildings, between Pioneer and Potomac, draped in stars and stripes on September 14, 1934.
The occasion is Dormont's Silver Jubilee, celebrating 25 years as an independent municipality.
The Borough of Dormont was incorporated on March 31, 1909.

 

West Liberty Avenue at Pioneer Avenue in Dormont - 1935.
The corner of West Liberty Avenue and Pioneer Avenue in Dormont circa 1935.

 

Seebacher's service station at
the Brookline Junction in 1936.    A car pulls out of the service station at the Brookline
Junction onto West Liberty Avenue in 1936.
Seebacher's service station (left) and a customer pulling out onto West Liberty Avenue in 1936.

 

West Liberty Avenue, near Potomac Avenue, in 1936.
Looking southwest along West Liberty Avenue, near Potomac Avenue, in 1936.

 

West Liberty Avenue - 1938.
Looking down from Pioneer Avenue at West Liberty Avenue, between Pioneer and Brookside Avenue, in September 1938.

 

Rohrich Cadillac - West Liberty Avenue - 1938
The Charles W. Rohrich Cadillac Company, at 2044 West Liberty Avenue, shown here circa-1939.

 

West Liberty Lumber Company - 1939
The West Liberty Lumber Company stands in the distance along West Liberty Avenue, at Pioneer Avenue, in June 1939.
This picture was taken during the construction of the
West Liberty Avenue trolley ramp. John's Lumber Company,
north at the corner of West Liberty and Saw Mill Run Boulevard, had a storage yard out of frame to the right.

 

West Liberty Avenue Trolley Ramp - 1939.
Traffic detours along West Liberty Avenue, like this one on August 28, 1939, during the ramp construction were hard
on motorists, especially during rush hour. However, in the end, removing the trolley traffic from the
main road resulted in a much smoother flow of traffic towards that Liberty Tunnels.

 

West Liberty Avenue in August 1939.    West Liberty Avenue in October 1939.
Two pictures showing northbound traffic on West Liberty Avenue near the Trolley Ramp in October 1939.

 

Howard's Service Station - 1941
Howard Gebhardt's Atlantic Service Station, located at 1500 West Liberty Avenue, shown here in 1941.

 

Matthews Bronze Division Headquarters - circa 1948.
The Matthews Bronze Division Headquarters at 1315 West Liberty Avenue - circa 1948.

 

Downtown Pontiac near Capital Avenue - 1950.    Cars displayed in the Downtown Pontiac lot - 1950.
Downtown Pontiac, located near Capital Avenue, in 1950.

 

Artcraft Mantel Company - 1950.
The interior of the Artcraft Mantel Company, located at 1811 West Liberty Avenue, in 1950.

 

Traffic along West Liberty Avenue
near Pauline Avenue in 1950.    Traffic along West Liberty Avenue
near Pauline Avenue in 1950.
Traffic along West Liberty Avenue near Pauline Avenue in 1950.

 

Rohrich Cadillac - West Liberty Avenue - 1950
The enlarged Charles W. Rohrich Cadillac Company in 1950 after a recent renovation and expansion.

 

A. D. Motor Company Studebaker - West Liberty Avenue.
A. D. Motor Company Studebaker, shown here circa 1953, at the corner of West Liberty Avenue and Pauline Avenue.

 

View south from the south portals in 1954.
A view to the south from atop the South Portals on May 16, 1954. The "No Left Turn" notation was a
reminder that left turns into the tunnels from Saw Mill Run Boulevard were now prohibited.

 

An outbound streetcar comes down the
West Liberty trolley ramp in 1950.
An outbound streetcar comes down the West Liberty Avenue trolley ramp in 1955.

 

The Dormont Eat 'n Park Restaurant in 1956.
The Dormont Eat 'n Park Restaurant, located at 2874 West Liberty Avenue, in 1956.

 

The West Liberty Tire Company in 1939.    A used car lot near the Brookline Junction in 1962.
The West Liberty Tire Company in June 1939 (left) and a used car lot near the Brookline Junction in May 1962.

 

January 22, 1959 - Looking down Curranhill Avenue at
West Liberty Avenue and Capital Avenue.
January 22, 1959 - Looking down Curranhill Avenue, across West Liberty, at buildings along lower Capital Avenue,
the Capitol Bar/Grill and the Capital Market.

 

January 22, 1959 - Looking down Curranhill Avenue at
West Liberty Avenue and Capital Avenue.    February 4, 1960 - Looking down Curranhill Avenue at
West Liberty Avenue and Capital Avenue.
Looking down Curranhill Avenue, across West Liberty, at buildings along lower Capital Avenue,
on January 22, 1959 (left) and February 4, 1960.

 

West Liberty Avenue in 1956.    West Liberty Avenue in 1962.
Traffic moving south on West Liberty Avenue (left) in 1956 and approaching the Liberty Tunnels in 1962.

 

Fresh street lines on lower West Liberty Avenue.
Looking down at freshly painted traffic lines on lower West Liberty Avenue on June 26, 1960.

 

West Liberty Avenue approaching McFarland Road in 1945.    A Bower Hill bus passes McFarland Road
on West Liberty Avenue circa 1965.
West Liberty Avenue, heading south towards McFarland Road in Dormont circa 1945 (left) and a
Bower Hill bus passes McFarland Road on West Liberty Avenue circa 1965.

The Liberty Tunnels in 1950.
Soldiers of the Pennsylvania National Guard were in Pittsburgh to clear snow and restore order after
the
Thanksgiving Day Blizzard of 1950. This photo was taken on November 30, five days
after the storm, showing soldiers directing traffic outside the Liberty Tunnels.

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