Duquesne, PA

Duquesne, Pennsylvania is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 10,898 at the 2010 census. Duquesne is adjacent to Pittsburgh and shares many of its cultural attractions. It is home to the Duquesne University of Pittsburgh and the Monongahela National Forest.

The first Europeans in what would become Duquesne were French traders who arrived in the early 17th century. The land that now makes up Duquesne was part of a large tract granted by the British Crown to General John Forbes in 1758 as payment for his service during the French and Indian War. Forbes named his new settlement after Prince du Quesnay, Controller-General of Finances under King Louis XV of France. In 1768, James Ross purchased land on what would become Ross Island from Forbes for use as a farmstead; this area would later become known as North Point.

In 1819, Charles Henry Thomas purchased land on what would become South Point from Forbes for use as a summer estate; this area would later be known as Castle Hill. Thomas' son-in-law, George Washington Ritner (1802–1886), developed much of present-day Duquesne beginning in 1841 with construction of homes along South Point Boulevard (now Ritner Boulevard). Ritner's development included the construction of churches (St Paul's Episcopal Church and St John's Evangelical Lutheran Church), schools ( Duquesne Academy and Jefferson School), banks (the First National Bank and Citizens' Savings Bank), factories (Ritner Iron Works) and other businesses.

In 1870, Andrew Carnegie established steel mills on Homestead Island just downstream from Ritner's developments; these mills became known as Carnegie Steel Company after he donated $500 million worth of stock to create it. The company grew rapidly and by 1901 employed more than 14,000 people; however, its fortunes changed dramatically with the onset of World War I when demand for steel plummeted due to military needs overseas. The company went into receivership in 1919 and was eventually liquidated two years later; many buildings from this period remain today including Carnegie Hall which opened in 1914 but was originally designed as an armory for Duquesne's militia unit which never materialized due to lack of funding.

Following World War II there was renewed interest in developing Duquesne due to its proximity to both Pittsburgh and Philadelphia; however, it took until 1968 before significant development began with construction of apartments along East Carson Street followed by office buildings along West Carson Street a few years later. Development has continued at a steady pace since then with new housing developments being constructed near downtown along Southpoint Boulevard while office space continues to be developed throughout the borough including along East Carson Street near downtown where several highrise towers have been built including One Mellon Center which currently stands at 553 feet tall making it one of the tallest buildings in Allegheny County .

Today Duquesne is considered one of Pittsburgh's most desirable neighborhoods with excellent schools (including two private schools ranked among America's top 100) , plenty shopping options , beautiful parks ,and easy access to both Downtown Pittsburgh and Downtown Philadelphia .