Wigman House
Encyclopedia
The Wigman House is a historic American Queen Anne house in the Carrick
neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
. It is a City of Pittsburgh Designated Historic Structure.
The four-bedroom home was constructed in 1888 for William Wigman, the owner of Wigman Lumber on the South Side
. At the time, Carrick, which sits upon a hilltop south of Pittsburgh, was a popular neighborhood for wealthy entrepreneurs who sought to escape the smoke of the city. The Wigman House is all that remains from this area known as "Millionaire's Row"
Since 1952, the house has been owned by the McClory family; in 2011 they placed the property for sale, seeking $150,000, a move that set local preservationists into action. The owner of a neighboring funeral home
, Congressman Harry Readshaw
, sought to purchase and demolish the building for parking for his business. Members of the Carrick-Overbrook Historical Society sought to block Readshaw's purchase by nominating the home for historic status, calling it "the last remaining example of several homes of the wealthy South Side gentry who lived in Carrick." The owners, the McClory family, opposed the nomination, concerned that the designation would harm its chances to sell. The Young Preservationists Association of Pittsburgh identifies the building as a top-priority historic preservation opportunity.
In April 2011, the city's Historic Review Commission approved the historical society's application, setting the stage for contentious hearings before the Pittsburgh City Council
.
The historic status was opposed by City Councilman Ricky Burgess, expressing a concern about the rights of the house's current owners. However, Mrs. McClory changed her position in a letter to the Council, citing historic tax credits and the possibility that the house's historic value could be a selling point.
Carrick (Pittsburgh)
Carrick is a south neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the United States. It is served by two zip codes, 15210 and 15227, and has representation on Pittsburgh City Council by the council member for District 4 with a part in District 3.Located between the suburbs of the South Hills and...
neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. It is a City of Pittsburgh Designated Historic Structure.
The four-bedroom home was constructed in 1888 for William Wigman, the owner of Wigman Lumber on the South Side
South Side (Pittsburgh)
South Side is an area in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, located along the Monongahela River across from Downtown Pittsburgh. The South Side is officially divided into two neighborhoods, South Side Flats and South Side Slopes. Both the Flats and the Slopes are represented on Pittsburgh City...
. At the time, Carrick, which sits upon a hilltop south of Pittsburgh, was a popular neighborhood for wealthy entrepreneurs who sought to escape the smoke of the city. The Wigman House is all that remains from this area known as "Millionaire's Row"
Since 1952, the house has been owned by the McClory family; in 2011 they placed the property for sale, seeking $150,000, a move that set local preservationists into action. The owner of a neighboring funeral home
Funeral home
A funeral home, funeral parlor or mortuary, is a business that provides burial and funeral services for the deceased and their families. These services may include aprepared wake and funeral, and the provision of a chapel for the funeral....
, Congressman Harry Readshaw
Harry Readshaw
Harry A. Readshaw III is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 36th District and was elected in 1994. He and his wife live in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and have 3 children. He graduated from Carrick High School in 1959 and attended Duquesne University from...
, sought to purchase and demolish the building for parking for his business. Members of the Carrick-Overbrook Historical Society sought to block Readshaw's purchase by nominating the home for historic status, calling it "the last remaining example of several homes of the wealthy South Side gentry who lived in Carrick." The owners, the McClory family, opposed the nomination, concerned that the designation would harm its chances to sell. The Young Preservationists Association of Pittsburgh identifies the building as a top-priority historic preservation opportunity.
In April 2011, the city's Historic Review Commission approved the historical society's application, setting the stage for contentious hearings before the Pittsburgh City Council
Pittsburgh City Council
The Pittsburgh City Council is the legislative body of the City of Pittsburgh. It consists of nine members. City council members are chosen by plurality elections in each of nine districts....
.
The historic status was opposed by City Councilman Ricky Burgess, expressing a concern about the rights of the house's current owners. However, Mrs. McClory changed her position in a letter to the Council, citing historic tax credits and the possibility that the house's historic value could be a selling point.
External links
- Wigman House Carrick-Overbrook Historical Society