Situated just within Pittsburgh’s southern border, over Mount Washington and up another hill from Downtown, sits Brookline, a walkable neighborhood of "character, charm, and convenience." Today the tight-knit community claims a lively business district, the second largest residential tax base in the City of Pittsburgh, and one of the city’s lowest crime rates. It is clear residents and business owners here take pride in their community and history. For instance, Brookline boasts having the City’s oldest existing firehouse, built in 1909.

Like much of the Pittsburgh region, Brookline can track its history to pre-revolutionary times. Despite the turmoil between pre-Revolutionary War settlers and area Natives during Pontiac’s Uprising in 1763, settlers continued to pioneer the area to take advantage of prime farmland. After the American Revolution, veterans received plots of land for their military service, so agriculture continued to increase. These war veterans, reminded of their former home in Brookline, Massachusetts, chose the name "Brookline" because both communities shared streams and a hilly landscape. Originally, Brookline lay outside of Pittsburgh’s city limits in West Liberty Borough, and the community remained farmland until the turn of the 20th century. In 1908, the City of Pittsburgh annexed the growing West Liberty Borough, including Brookline.

Much of Brookline’s growth was due in a big part to transportation improvements in the 20th century. The streets were still dirt-paved until 1901 when the appearance of streetcars fueled both population and business growth. In 1904, the opening of a trolley tunnel further eased transit between downtown Pittsburgh and neighborhoods south of Pittsburgh. Vehicular traffic still had a long and difficult trek to get to the city. Cars needed to be hoisted up or down either side of Mount Washington until the Liberty Tunnels, completed in 1924, drastically reduced travel time. Brookline’s growth accelerated to shape the neighborhood we recognize today, especially along Brookline Boulevard from Pioneer to Queensboro Streets. While the mix of stores has changed and the trolley has disappeared, the boulevard still remains the commercial focal point of Brookline.

Today, the main drag of Brookline Boulevard reflects the community’s banner vision as a neighborhood of "character, charm, and convenience." Most of the corridor’s businesses line one side of the street, and houses face them from the other side. As patrons exit the businesses, the houses across the street radiate a residential charm. Convenience takes the form of transportation, with quick access downtown via the Liberty Bridge, and nearby bus and T service. Some choose to bike their way around town.

The businesses themselves are an eclectic blend of specialty and neighborhood shops that cater both to big-city and small-town tastes. Visitors can find a peaceful Italian-styled meal and caffeinated pick-me-ups at three neighboring vendors: the Moonlite Café owned by Luciano and Sandro "Sonny" DeFelice, the humbly-named No Name Coffee Shop, and a new coffee shop, Nikko’s. The East Mediterranean makes a presence on the street with Pitaland, an emporium of fresh foodstuffs from Pita to olives, and the eatery It’s Greek to Me. Anytime between dawn and dusk is good for sweet treats from Kribel’s Bakery and the Party Cake Bakery, with racks of doughnuts, cookies, pastries, and made-to-order goodies.

Brookline also features some incredibly cool public space. One of the newer additions to Brookline Boulevard is the renovated Brookline branch of the Carnegie Library. The environmentally-friendly new building features a wall of windows letting natural light spill into every level of the building, providing abundant light for bestsellers and dusty classics alike. Their menu of weekly activities is constantly updated and caters to everyone from children to seniors.

Before leaving this unique, tree-lined neighborhood, be sure to check out Triangle Park, which residents call simply "the Cannon," at the intersection of Brookline Boulevard, Queensboro Avenue, and Chelton Avenue. This WWI monument is actually a replica of one that was donated during a scrap-metal drive for World War II.  For a bit more green space, visit the ballfields and playground at Brookline Park or the Olympic size swimming pool at Moore Park.

Links

Brookline Chamber of Commerce

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Brookline Branch

Seton Center

Brookline Boulevard

Pitaland

Carnegie Library-Brookline Branch

The "Cannon"