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

University of Pittsburgh

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, March 13, 2011

1. University of Pittsburgh Marker

Inscription. First institution of higher education west of the Alleghenies and north of the Ohio River. Founded in 1787 as the Pittsburgh Academy, it became the Western University of Pennsylvania in 1819. Present name was adopted in 1908.

Erected 1979 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1787.

Location. 40° 26.665′ N, 79° 57.269′ W. Marker is in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in Allegheny County. It is in North Oakland. It is at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Bigelow Boulevard, on the right when traveling east on Fifth Avenue. Located by the Cathedral of Learning on the University of Pittsburgh Campus, in the Oakland Section of Pittsburgh. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pittsburgh PA 15213, 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: V.F.W. (within shouting distance of this marker); Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line);

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Cathedral of Learning (about 300 feet away); Masonic Temple (Alumni Hall) (about 300 feet away); Defenders of Freedom (about 400 feet away); The University Club (about 400 feet away); World War II Honor Roll (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pittsburgh.

Also see . . .
1. University of Pittsburgh. (Submitted on March 15, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)
2. University of Pittsburgh - Behind the Marker. (Submitted on June 29, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

University of Pittsburgh Marker and The Cathedral of Learning image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, March 13, 2011

2. University of Pittsburgh Marker and The Cathedral of Learning

The University of Western Pennsylvania image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Russell Smith, artist, 1833

3. The University of Western Pennsylvania

The University of Pittsburgh traces its history to a log cabin school founded in 1787. Incorporated in 1819 as the University of Western Pennsylvania, it remained a small private college until a close alliance with wealthy industrialists led to its expansion and name change to the University of Pittsburgh in 1908. Courtesy of the Carnegie Museum of Art, received from the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in exchange for Works from the Robert S. Waters Estate

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 14, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,495 times since then and 31 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. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.