Middle Hill in Pittsburgh in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Crawford Grill

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, March 13, 2011

1. Crawford Grill Marker

Inscription. A center of Black social life where musicians such as Art Blakey, Mary Lou Williams, John Coltrane drew a racially mixed, international clientele. Here, Crawford Grill number 2, the second of three clubs opened 1943; was owned by William (Gus) Greenlee, later by Joseph Robinson.

Erected 2001 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1943.

Location. 40° 26.731′ N, 79° 58.676′ W. Marker is in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in Allegheny County. It is in Middle Hill. It is at the intersection of Wylie Avenue and Elmore Avenue, on the right when traveling west on Wylie Avenue. Located in front of the former Crawford Grill, in the Hill District of Pittsburgh. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pittsburgh PA 15219, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in the Ohio

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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: Louis Mason, Jr (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Johnson Studio (about 400 feet away); Freedom House Ambulance (about 700 feet away); Ebenezer Baptist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Joshua (Josh) Gibson (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Muslim Mosque of Pittsburgh (approx. ¼ mile away); Art Blakey (approx. ¼ mile away); August Wilson (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pittsburgh.

Also see . . .
1. Crawford Grill - Behind the Marker. (Submitted on June 29, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
2. Hill District's onetime jazz mecca Crawford Grill waits for second chance. Sunday, March 6, 2016 Tribune-Review article (Submitted on April 15, 2016, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

Crawford Grill Marker and former Crawford Grill image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, March 13, 2011

2. Crawford Grill Marker and former Crawford Grill

"Woogie" Harris image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Unknown

3. "Woogie" Harris

"Woogie" Harris was a prominent Pittsburgh businessman and one of the founders of the Crawford Grill. Here he is pictured at the piano, on a small elevated stage behind a bar, while several patrons enjoy the music. Courtesy the Library and Archives Division, Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh

Credits. This page was last revised on April 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 14, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,874 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 14, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on July 26, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.