The Hitzrot Just Keeps On Coming

Category: Events, History || By

Have you read enough about the old Eagles lodge on Market Street? Well, tough.

The city's best historian, John Barna, notes that the Fraternal Order of Eagles didn't buy the building until 1911, and that it was built as the home of Dr. Henry W. Hitzrot in 1892.

He also sent along this photo of Dr. Hitzrot and another picture showing the house "in its heyday."

"What the hell is a heyday any how?" John wants to know. "I can't remember if I ever had one!"

I don't know what a heyday is either, and I don't think I've ever had one. But if they need oil to make them, then I'm sure the price of heydays has gone up.

. . .

Speaking of inflation, John also dug up an article from the Nov. 7, 1892, issue of the Daily News, which calls the Hitzrot mansion "one of the finest homes in Pennsylvania" and says that construction cost $50,000 --- that's better than $1.1 million by current standards.

"The most pleasing feature of this splendid edifice is that nearly all the work was done by McKeesporters, and the majority of the materials are of home make, reflecting the highest credit on local builders," noted the unnamed writer, who went on to describe the interior in detail:

Passing through the wide, deep doorway, the visitor enters the reception hall; on the right is a large stone fireplace, extending to the ceiling, and built from an Egyptian design.

The staircase is wide, is of easy ascent and splendidly carved. A silver chandelier diffuses a subdued light, and the room is decorated with works of art, paintings and statuary, and the walls in this as in the other apartments, are covered with leather of exquisite design and of a different shade in each room.

To the left is a parlor, furnished in white and gold, light shades predominate and the decorations are simple, yet elegant. Back of this is the drawing room.

The dining room is finished in hard wood, beautiful china closets, large plate glass mirrors; a rich chandelier adorns the centre, and appropriate works of art are found on the walls.

So far, it all sounds just like your house, right? Leather-covered walls, chandeliers and statues in every room? Life was good for the Hitzrots.

. . .

The News' story continues with a description of the kitchen, which the paper reports was so elegantly furnished that if "it were not for the large range and silver hot water boiler it would be difficult to determine that it was a kitchen":

On the second floor are bedrooms and Mrs. Hitzrot's boudoir or sewing room. The bath room is simply elegant, tiled floor and walls, silver fittings, and decorated in a rich manner. The furnishings of the apartments on the second floor are in harmony with the luxury that is found on the first floor.

The third floor of the Hitzrot mansion contained servants' quarters, a ballroom and a billiard room, while the basement held another stove "on which to boil clothes" and a pantry for storing vegetables and canned goods:

One is impressed with the large number of small closets, drawers in all parts of the house to store clothes, household utensils and food products, making even the kitchen and basement present a neat appearance.

The heating apparatus is most complete. Pure air is secured from the outside of the house, heated in the furnace and then distributed through the building. The ventilation for sanitary arrangements are very complete, and the pure air found in the house is very noticeable. All water passes through a large filter in the basement, which renders it quite pure.

That's what you call "The Howard Hanna Sunday Showcase of Homes," 19th century style.

. . .

The article's description makes it clear why the building cost the equivalent of $1.1 million to construct, and also why historic preservationists would like to save the building.

But whether it can escape a wrecking ball in its current dilapidated condition is questionable. It's also anyone's guess as to whether any of the fine details described by the News in 1892 still survive.

As I think I've mentioned before, my grandfather was a member of the Eagles, and I can remember visiting the lodge when I was but a wee tadpole, but my memories of the inside are pretty dim. I also seem to recall that the first floor had been extensively remodeled.

. . .

More details of the Hitzrot family come from a 1915 book called The Genealogical and Personal History of Western Pennsylvania by John W. Jordan.

Jordan writes that Hitzrot was "a highly educated and skillful physician" who emigrated from Cassel, Prussia, to Johnstown, Pa., to work for the Cambria Iron Works.

After several years apparently spent as a bookkeeper and secretary, Hitzrot enrolled in the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Baltimore, where he earned his medical degree, then pursued further study at Johns Hopkins before returning to McKeesport.

"He rose rapidly in public favor and gained a satisfactory practice," which the book notes "became very large and lucrative."

Hitzrot had three children; one by his first wife, Priscilla, who died before 1896, and two by his second wife, Agnes Haler Hitzrot.

Agnes Haler was the daughter of Louis C. Haler, who owned a farm in Versailles Township --- in what's now known as the Haler Heights section of the city.

. . .

Meanwhile, while looking for information about Dr. Hitzrot, I stumbled over the website for something called "Preservation McKeesport," which appears to be a group that evolved from the Historical Society of McKeesport. Unfortunately, there don't appear to have been any updates made since 2006.

If anyone from Preservation McKeesport wants to touch base with me, I'm interested to hear what you're up to!

. . .

In a Related Story: Although McKeesport Heritage Center doesn't do building preservation, it does preserve the genealogical and commercial records of the Mon-Yough area at its archives and library in Renziehausen Park.

Michelle Wardle, director of the Heritage Center, recently emailed me to note that they finally have a website. Point your peepers at McKeesportHeritage.org.

This Saturday, the Heritage Center will be running a program for children about the history of trolleys and streetcars; Barb Kearns-Jones of the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum is the featured speaker.

A program at 10 a.m. is targeted to pre-schoolers, while another at 1 p.m. is geared toward grammar-school pupils. The event is free; call (412) 678-1832.

Your Comments are Welcome!

Jason, in your recent articles, you brought attention to the fact that McKeesport really needs a good Historical Society that protects buildings and histories like these. Or, at least documents thier current state inside and out before demolition. What I wonder is, how do I start one? If any of your readers would like to get together and start some type of grass-roots society, I would gladly like to become a major contributor. I have thought many times of starting my own, but I am a working class father with little money to expend on such adventures. If I could gather a group of “urban explorers” to go inside some of these buildings (with permission of course) and gather historic documents and artifacts before they are crushed, and photograph everything possible about these buildings, maybe more people would fall in love with these buildings and thier stories as I have, and we could have a chance of saving them. I personally have admired the old Eagles/Hitzrot building since I was a child, its stone stucture making it stand out in the declining city landscape. I have envisioned buying it and renovating it to its original splendor, somewhat like the Frick House in Pittsburgh, for tours and such. What a great Museum (maybe even with a bed and breakfast) along the new bike trail! Oh my the things that could be done with just a little $$$. It seems that might be a little more exciting than the um, Hair Museum, or whatever. But anything is better than losing another great building. Unfortunately, I see the People’s Bank building headed in the same direction. But, I’ve got big plans for that building too…
Adam Spate - June 17, 2008

This would be an awesome project for “This Old House” to take on.
Bulldog - June 17, 2008

Hey jason,

Any idea if the blueprints for this baby are available in a city council archive or maybe at the Carnegie Library of Mckeesport? Those could be fascinating to look at assuming they’re somewhat preserved and not yellow, faded and miserable.
Keith Paradise - June 17, 2008

These are videos of the first steps in the illegal taking and destruction of the Historic Hitzrot House in McKeesport, Pa.
www.youtube.com/user/MHStubechannel
The City government knowing that this historic mansion in downtown McKeesport may today be added to the National Register of Historic Places is acting now to illegally take this property from its rightful owners and destroy it without due process and in direct defiance of the Federal and Commonwealth law.
This is not the first time that the City of McKeesport has trampled on the Constitution and its protections of property and process.
These actions are being documented and if the City proceeds to destroy this historic gem, Citizens of McKeesport will rightly demand that all Federal and State funds used by the City to break the law and the will of the people be stopped and no more be forthcoming.

The deeds of the City of McKeesport, Community Development and the Building Inspector all show clear contempt for the McKeesport’s history, the rights of its citizens, and the source of the funds for their illegal acts.

ADD
add (URL) - June 19, 2008

A.D.D., I appreciate the link.

But the “clear contempt” lies in the hands of the property owner, don’t you think?

The present owner purchased the building in 1991. How long should the city wait?

The building was set on fire a few years ago. The damage to the roof was never repaired.

Further, the city has repeatedly put the building on the demolition list, only to remove it when the owner promised to fix it up. To me, that’s the very definition of “due process.”

How many warnings are necessary? And isn’t 17 years long enough for someone to raise the money to restore the building, or at least to sell it?

I don’t want to be an apologist for the administration, and I certainly am interested in preserving historic buildings.

But if I lived in the Third Ward or had a business Downtown, I don’t think I’d view this as a “historic building.” I think I’d view it as an eyesore and a disaster waiting to happen.
Webmaster - June 19, 2008

P.S. If this is someone from McKeesport Preservation Society/Historical Society of McKeesport, please email me at jtogyer@gmail.com with a phone number where you can be reached.
Webmaster - June 19, 2008

First, I have nothing to do with the McKeesport Preservation Society or any historical society.

Next, as a concerned citizen of McKeesport, the reference I make to ‘contempt’ is to say a disregard for laws by the City of McKeesport, including Constitutional property rights and due process.

I know for a fact that the owners of the Hitzrot House cannot get the essential professional help they need to fully restore this magnificent structure to its past glory because the City has continuously refused to give the necessary permits to professionals of the owner’s choosing. The City also refuses to make it possible to obtain Federal and State loans and grants that are available for Historic Preservation. They have sequestered the City of McKeesport from these programs as part and parcel of their ongoing desire to control private property use in the City. The illegal taking and destruction of private property without legally approved notices and hearings is the last step in a continuum of control and abuse. All of it done, with Federal Funds, for the benefit of the City Management and its naifs.

No other conclusion can be arrived at other than this: The City of McKeesport will destroy its extraordinary Historic past where ever and when ever for short term gain.

add
add - June 19, 2008

A.D.D.:

I respect your opinion, but in my opinion, your arguments don’t hold up to scrutiny.

As far as I can tell, the city has followed all of the legal requirements for condemning a property in this case. They have given sufficient notice and are holding a hearing next week.

In my opinion, the only ones who bear responsibility for the condition of the Hitzrot House are the current owners. They have had 17 years to do something with the building.

Even if the city wanted to block the restoration of this building — which I don’t believe — I have a hard time accepting that they could do it for 17 years.

We’re talking the City of McKeesport, not the CIA.

Besides, there have been four different mayors in that time —- Lou Washowich, Joe Bendel, Wayne Kucich and Jim Brewster. You can’t tell me that all of them were conspiring.

Moreover, if the city is doing something “illegal,” there are remedies in the courts.

Finally, I have been on the other side of this issue. I have had to get an abandoned building torn down in the City of McKeesport.

It took seven years! If anything, I felt like the city was dragging its feet, but the city followed due process to the letter.

Sorry, I understand your emotions and your frustration, but I’m not buying it.

Also, since you’re anonymous, it’s difficult for me to judge the validity of what you’re saying, or what your motives might be.

You say you’re “not affiliated with McKeesport Preservation Society or any historical society,” but your YouTube name is “MHS,” as in “McKeesport Historical Society.” (Or possibly, “McKeesport High School,” I suppose.)

The legal address for the society is a house on Shaw Avenue. And one of the owners of that house has the initials “A.D.D.”

Should I elaborate?

I hate to be suspicious, “A.D.D.,” but as they say on the TV show “South Park,” “I declare shenanigans.”

Look, I’m sympathetic to your cause, but throwing around charges and accusations is not going to help.

Jason
Webmaster - June 19, 2008

I can appreciate the design and architecture that once was. I must say this building is in decrepit deplorable and unsightly condition. For someone to have owned the building for 17 years and not once to try and renovate repair or rehab it makes no sense. All I see is “we’re going to get it on the national register list of historical places” but no where does it say it is going to be fixed to its original condition. In its current state it is by far a dangerous building. The building is literally falling apart. I would not want to walk by the building for fear of being hit by material. Just recently brick were falling into an alley where children often play. Can we really justify saving this building noting its current condition? In the past it was a magnificent building, but thats just it. It was in the past. Today it needs to be demolished. Sad but true this building needs to go.
Jeff - July 12, 2008

As a descendant of William Henry Hitzrot ( his great-granddaughter, I believe), I would be interested in helping with the purchase and restoration of this house. Who would I need to contact? Or is it too late? I hope not.
Sandy Hitzrot Grubbs - September 12, 2008

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