Freehold Real
Estate Advertisements
1904-1916
The following are Freehold Real Estate advertisements for the Paul Place Plan and the First through Fifth Ward developments that appeared in Pittsburgh newspapers from 1904 through 1916. They give an interesting perspective on Brookline and how the community was viewed at the turn of the 20th century. Brookline, from 1904 through 1907 a part of West Liberty Borough, had traditionally been a rural farming and mining center, sparsely populated due to it's isolation from the bustling metropolitan and industrial centers in of Pittsburgh. The opening of the Mount Washington Transit Tunnel and the establishment of trolley service in the South Hills were the catalyst to an era of dramatic change. Once annexed into the city of Pittsburgh in 1908, the community continued to develop.
The resident population surged. Housing and commercial development boomed. Brookline became one of the hottest areas in the region for investment opportunities and growth. These advertisements tout Brookline as the ideal place in Pittsburgh to own a home and raise a family. Prime real estate was available and the prices were reasonable. For a $10 down payment one could reserve a lot in the fastest growing community in Pittsburgh. Rolling hills, broad avenues, clean air, new homes, paved roads, cement sidewalks, electric street lighting, new sewer and water lines awaited prospective home buyers. This, accompanied with the safe, reliable and speedy trolley service made Brookline Pittsburgh's "15-Minute Suburb." 1904 <> 1905 <> 1906 <> 1907 <> 1908 <> 1909 Click on images for a larger view Additional Newspaper Ads: Fleming Place/Hughey Farms Real Estate Advertisements from 1902 Freehold Real Estate Brochures/Advertisements from 1921-1926 |
1904
1905
1906
1907
The Brookline Herald Short Quiz In the above advertisement, dated October
20, 1907, there is a short quiz that offered prizes to new homebuyers. There
were three questions asked: Just for fun, I took the short
quiz using only a pencil and paper, without the aid of a calculator
because none were available in 1907. I also abandoned the present-day
Common Core Math which is too confusing even for a college graduate
like myself. Using my primitive mathematic skills and intuition, I came
up with the following answers: |
1908
1909
1910
1911
1913
1914
1916