Campbell Building

Courtesy of Lee Paxton

1 November 2009

Location:
3 Crafton Square, Pittsburgh, PA 15205

Description:

The Campbell Building, a quaint historic commercial structure located in Crafton, Pennsylvania, holds a significant place in local history. Erected around 1911, this building was officially recognized for its historical value and added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 19, 1988.

Originally utilized as a sales office by Thomas Campbell, a real estate developer, between approximately 1911 and 1915, the building's exact origins remain somewhat uncertain. It is believed that Campbell either constructed it on its current site, which was owned by his primary financial supporter, Mrs. Adelia Silk, or had it relocated from elsewhere. Designed in the Colonial Revival style, the building features a hipped roof and a neoclassical entrance porch, reflecting contemporary architectural trends in both residential and commercial construction. Notably, its distinctiveness is underscored by its size, red tile roof, and original white stucco walls, setting it apart from neighboring structures in the town's commercial district.

Following Mrs. Silk's passing in 1913 and Campbell's demise in 1915, with only a handful of building lots sold, the building saw various uses over the years. Around 1925, it underwent structural enhancements, including being raised on a new brick foundation. Its functions ranged from a millinery shop to a furnace display room, a magistrate's office, a craft shop, a lunch counter, and even a weight-loss clinic. In the 1980s, when faced with the threat of demolition, local residents rallied to preserve the building's historical integrity, successfully advocating for its inclusion on the National Register.