lancaster

Allegheny County

Site Name:

General Robinson Site

Borough, Township:

City of Pittsburgh

Author:

Christine Davis

Representing:

Christine Davis Consultants, Inc.

Date of Site:

Unknown Prehistoric to Historic
Date (of site) early to mid-nineteenth century

Project Sponsor:

Pittsburgh Auditorium Authority

Brief Description: Prior to the construction of the proposed Pirates PNC Park in the City of Pittsburgh, archaeological excavations took place in what was once the backyard of General William Robinson's mansion on Federal Street. Robinson's father was the first permanent settler on Pittsburgh's North Side. The family's large farm centered on Federal Street and extended along the riverfront where a ferry operated across the Allegheny River to Pittsburgh.
In 1832, a catastrophic flood inundated General Robinson's house. The family's possessions ended up in the backyard covered with mud left behind from the floodwaters. After the Civil War, the General's house was demolished and new buildings were constructed on his land along Federal Street.
In the winter of 1999, archaeologists found the General's backyard buried beneath 17 feet of modern fill. Hundreds of ceramic, glass and wood objects from the 1832 flood were brought to the surface after being buried for 166 years. Below the fill and flood deposits was a buried prehistoric component for which a date could not be determined. The collection from this site is one of the earliest and most significant from the City of Pittsburgh.

Allegheny County
Site Name:	General Robinson Site
Borough, Township:	City of Pittsburgh
Author:	Christine Davis
Representing:	Christine Davis Consultants, Inc.
Date of Site:	Unknown Prehistoric to Historic Date (of site) early to mid-nineteenth century
Project Sponsor:	Pittsburgh Auditorium Authority
Brief Description: Prior to the construction of the proposed Pirates PNC Park in the City of Pittsburgh, archaeological excavations took place in what was once the backyard of General William Robinson's mansion on Federal Street. Robinson's father was the first permanent settler on Pittsburgh's North Side. The family's large farm centered on Federal Street and extended along the riverfront where a ferry operated across the Allegheny River to Pittsburgh. In 1832, a catastrophic flood inundated General Robinson's house. The family's possessions ended up in the backyard covered with mud left behind from the floodwaters. After the Civil War, the General's house was demolished and new buildings were constructed on his land along Federal Street. In the winter of 1999, archaeologists found the General's backyard buried beneath 17 feet of modern fill. Hundreds of ceramic, glass and wood objects from the 1832 flood were brought to the surface after being buried for 166 years. Below the fill and flood deposits was a buried prehistoric component for which a date could not be determined. The collection from this site is one of the earliest and most significant from the City of Pittsburgh.