Point Breeze North in Pittsburgh in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Westinghouse Gas Wells

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, January 26, 2018

1. Westinghouse Gas Wells Marker

Inscription. In 1884, George Westinghouse drilled a natural gas well here on his estate, Solitude, now Westinghouse Park. When gas was struck, an uncontrolled geyser erupted for a week. Within two years, Westinghouse obtained over 30 patents for the distribution and safe use of natural gas for industrial and residential customers. His ingenuity and business acumen were instrumental in the development of natural gas as a significant new energy source.

Erected 2016 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1884.

Location. 40° 27.148′ N, 79° 54.253′ W. Marker is in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in Allegheny County. It is in Point Breeze North. It is at the intersection of Thomas Boulevard and North Murtland Street, on the right when traveling west on Thomas Boulevard. Marker is located in Westinghouse Park in Pittsburgh's Point Breeze neighborhood. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pittsburgh PA 15208, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in the Ohio River Valley,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Dedicated by the Housing Authority (approx. ¼ mile away); Linwood Apartments

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(approx. ¼ mile away); Clayton (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named Clayton (approx. 0.3 miles away); Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Greenhouse (approx. 0.4 miles away); Playhouse (approx. 0.4 miles away); Kitchen Garden (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pittsburgh.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, January 26, 2018

2. Westinghouse Gas Wells Marker

Westinghouse Gas Wells image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Pittsburgh and Allegheny Illustrated Review, 1889

3. Westinghouse Gas Wells

Photograph of Westinghouse "Old No.1" natural gas derrick in daytime, sometime between June 1884 and end of 1889, located at the Solitude estate in present-day Westinghouse Park. The Westinghouse carriage house/laboratory and the mansion are seen on the right.

Westinghouse Home image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Palmer's Pictoral Pittsburgh adn Prominent Pittsburghers Past and Present, 1904

4. Westinghouse Home

Photograph of "Solitude", home of George Westinghouse in Pittsburgh, PA, seen from the south.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 26, 2018, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,047 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 26, 2018, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.