Pittsburgh Chinatown Earns Its Historical Marker

Name: Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition
Address: Pittsburgh, PA

April 4, 1979: These buildings were all that was left of Pittsburgh’s Chinatown in the late 1970s, when Chinese newcomers were assimilating into the community rather than being confined to a ghetto-like area.
(Credit: Ed Morgan/The Pittsburgh Press)

Pittsburgh’s Lost Chinatown Finally Gets Its Historical Marker (Pittsburgh Magazine)
Short Excerpt: Following three denials, Pittsburgh’s Historic Chinatown’s historical marker application was finally approved last year. In the late 1800s, Pittsburgh had a thriving Chinese community centered between Second and Third avenues and Ross and Grant streets downtown. However, the community was destroyed following the construction of the Boulevard of the Allies.

The Fight to Recognize Pittsburgh’s Lost Chinatown (Pittsburgh Magazine)
Short Excerpt: Pittsburgh’s Chinatown neighborhood started taking shape following the arrival of Chinese workers from New Orleans in the 1870s and immigrants from China’s Toishan-Canton region. Prior to the construction of the Boulevard of the Allies, Chinatown supported approximately 500 residents.

Upcoming Event

Join the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission in partnership with OCA-Pittsburgh to commemorate the official Historical Marker of Pittsburgh’s Chinatown! Marian Lien, SHUC’s previous executive director, was instrumental in pushing through the arduous process of gaining historical landmark recognition for Pittsburgh’s Historic Chinatown and planning for the upcoming commemoration. View the invitation below.

The Final Final Solution (Congregation Beth Shalom, 5915 Beacon Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15217 (Squirrel Hill))

Feb 18, 2026

Darkly funny. Unapologetically sharp. Uncomfortably timely: The Final Final Solution - a fearless hour-long cabaret presented by Classrooms Without Borders asks —“Why does everybody hate us?”— and uses the trauma of the October 7 Hamas attack as a springboard to journey from the absurd to the profound with humor that ultimately makes space for hope. Tickets $18 / $5 for students at tinyurl.com/FinalCWB. For more info visit: cwbpgh.org or call Rosie at 412-212-6562

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Squirrel Hill Community Meeting - Councilmember Barb Warwick

Feb 25, 2026 | 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

The Squirrel Hill South meeting will be held Wednesday, February 25 from 6:30pm-8pm at Levinson Hall in the Jewish Community Center, 5738 Forbes Ave. This will be a hybrid meeting. If you would like to join virtually, please RSVP at https://forms.office.com/g/ZXT5kNwAAm

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Preserving, Improving, and Celebrating the Quality of Life in Squirrel Hill

For over fifty years, the Coalition has been an active and important link in the community. It has served as a sounding board for new ideas, as well as a “watchdog” in the areas of public safety, education, residential quality, the business district, and parks and open space. With its focus on the quality of life in the 14th Ward, SHUC continues to monitor activities and future developments in the community through a range of standing committees.

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Pittsburgh Chinatown Earns Its Historical Marker

Upcoming Event

Thank You to Our 2025 Treasure Dinner Sponsors!

Presentation on the History of the Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition

President's Day (SHUC Office Closed)

SHUC February Board Meeting

The Final Final Solution (Congregation Beth Shalom, 5915 Beacon Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15217 (Squirrel Hill))

Squirrel Hill Community Meeting - Councilmember Barb Warwick

Preserving, Improving, and Celebrating the Quality of Life in Squirrel Hill

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