Samples of architectural work by Carl A. McGrew

Samples of architectural work by Carl A. McGrew

These photos show just a small sampling of the architectural work of Carl A. McGrew (father of Mac McGrew, grandfather of Jon McGrew). His architectural specialty was insciptional lettering. He was responsible for the design and implementation of lettering on many of the historic buildings in Pittsburgh and elsewhere. Among them are:

  •   Buhl Planetarium on West Ohio Street, North Side, Pittsburgh
  •   Lincoln Public School in Mt. Lebanon
  •   The City County Building on Grant Street, Downtown Pittsburgh
  •   The Chamber of Commerce Building on Seventh Avenue
  •   The Board of Education Building on Belfield Street in Oakland
  •   Mt. Lebanon High School
  •   Washington School in Mt. Lebanon (featuring cast brass letters; he detailed the layout and placement)
  •   Andrew W. Mellon Junior High School, Mt. Lebanon
  •   The Frick Teacher’s Training School on Forbes Avenue in Oakland

(Some of the photos shown here have had keystoning and pincushioning removed, for clarity.)

Lincoln Public School, Mt. Lebanon, Pittsburgh, PA

Minor work, school entrance

Left side of front face of school
Right side of front face of school

Buhl Planetarium, North Side, Pittsburgh, PA  (1939)

As of June of 2002, Buhl Planetarium is now closed and sitting empty, but the building is still intact. Most of the activities of the former planetarium have been fulfilled by the Carnegie Science Center.

Southwest corner, 2002
Southeast corner, 2002
Allegheny City Hall, southeast corner, 1937
Same location: Buhl Planetarium, southeast corner, 1966

Front, Main entrance, 2002

Front, Main entrance, enlarged
The two statues are marked “Primitive Science” and “Modern Science”

1956

Inscription on west face, 2002
Inscription on east face, 2002

Facing stone is Indiana Limestone

Detail work above side door:
Day, raised lettering, East face, 2002
Detail work above side door:
Night, raised lettering, West face, 2002

Front, left of Main entrance, 2002
(now mostly obscured by hedges).

There is another statue to the right side of the front entrance
(showing a seated Native American, with the words “The Earth”),
but it is hard to see, due to foliage.

One of several panels around the edge of the dome, 2002.
Other names are Ptolemy, Hipparchus, Newton, Galileo, Kepler, and Tycho.

Other Buhl Planetarium photos

Here is a scattered collection of some older Buhl Planetarium pictures, acquired from other sources.

1939-era Postcard

1939-era Postcard

1960’s-era Postcard

Under construction in 1938

Newly completed in 1939

(Typography has always been important at Buhl Planetarium)

Clock, inside front entrance

Mural, inside, near ceiling

Zeiss projector, 1940

Foucault pendulum pit

1956

For more information about Buhl Planetarium:

Just by way of directions: Buhl Planetarium is across the intersection from the Carnegie Free Library. This stonework was not done by C. A. McGrew.

Carnegie Free Library, 2002

Contact:
Jon McGrew
McGrew@TypeMatters.com