History Crawford Grill

1 history

1.1 origins of crawford grill
1.2 crawford grill no. 1 (1933–1951)
1.3 crawford grill no. 2 (1943–2003)
1.4 crawford grill no. 3 (1948–1955)
1.5 new crawford grill @ station square (2003–2006)
1.6 legacy , crawford grill revitalization project

history
origins of crawford grill

the crawford grill can best understood outgrowth of broader set of social institutions flourished in hill district neighborhood in 1900s. known black-and-tan clubs , these venues featured black artists , catered mixed-race patrons. leader house (1401 wylie ave.) , collins inn (1213 wylie ave.) 2 black-and-tan clubs operated in 1910s important because offered means through entrepreneur william gus greenlee enter entertainment industry in hill district , later become crawford grill , black musicians union club. high standard of entertainment established pianist earl hines, began career jazz musician in hill district when hired bandleader lois deppe perform @ leader house, , violinist vernie robinson @ collins inn. in 1922, collins inn became paramount inn under ownership of greenlee, become 1 of hill s prominent african-american businessmen , owner of negro league baseball team pittsburgh crawfords. club had had several owners time greenlee acquired in 1933. purchased scott bailey in 1932 , after managed james brown, local chef. brown remained when greenlee acquired business. nevertheless, greenlee may soundly credited making club famous. greenlee s remodeled held grand opening on christmas eve of 1933. formal opening took place following january. first in neighborhood receive liquor license (prohibition had been repealed less month). enthusiastic announcement in pittsburgh courier promised patrons bar designed after spanish hacienda, cool, drinks , food served in ultra, ultra style. crawford grill had several incarnations @ different addresses during lifetime.

crawford grill no. 1 (1933–1951)

the original club located @ 1401 wylie ave. @ townsend in hotel called leader house, had been established in 1910s. third floor of three-story structure reserved vips. known colloquially club crawford, served greenlee s reception room , office. audience racially , socially mixed. locals hill district patrons, pittsburgh s powerful families, athletes, , celebrities out of town. according ralph proctor, professor of african american history, grill provided place of elegance in area outsiders tended think of down-trodden. nelson harrison, trombonist played @ crawford grill, said, grill melting pot. had peaceful, loving atmosphere. there never trouble. remained in business until 1951 when destroyed fire. building demolished in 1959 part of civic arena development plan.

the second floor featured c&g club revolving stage, upright piano clad in mirrors, , glass-topped bar. in addition program of out-of-town entertainers, greenlee promised 2 special programs: chill night featuring greenlee himself in kitchen, , jewish night , when wife, helen, did same. second-floor club opened in march 1935 entertainment produced billy maxey, featuring new york , ohio performers. local press declared hill s popular hot spot .

crawford grill no. 2 (1943–2003)

with business partner joseph robinson, greenlee opened second venue on corner of wylie avenue , elmore street, approximately ten blocks east of original location. robinson s son, william buzzy robinson, ran club 60 years, selling business retaining ownership of building in 1992. in 2001, pennsylvania historical , museum commission dedicated marker on site. facing electrical , sewage problems, last surviving crawford grill location (no. 2) closed doors in 2003 , put sale in 2006.

crawford grill no. 3 (1948–1955)

located on corner of bidwell street , pennsylvania avenue in manchester neighborhood of pittsburgh, club closed in 7 years.

new crawford grill @ station square (2003–2006)

capitalizing on famous crawford grill name, les montgomery , tom burley opened new venue @ 125 w. station square drive in freight house shops, in pittsburgh s south side neighborhood. interior, designed local architect margaret ringel, included seating 180 guests, bar, , balcony. hewing closely original grill, menu featured soul food. venture financed partly urban redevelopment authority , promised 20-30 new jobs. new club successful; upon first anniversary of opening, newspaper described regular destination jazz lovers. 1 local patron praised new grill, finding music in original club during heyday. despite being awarded best soul food local paper 3 years running, new club suffered lack of foot traffic, closing doors on january 7, 2006.

legacy , crawford grill revitalization project

after closure of crawford grill no. 2, building owner buzzy robinson sought buyers respect legacy of site. in 2010, local sources announced investment group including pittsburgh central keystone innovation zone, pittsburgh gateways corporation, hill house edc, , several private individuals had purchased building $275,000. calling initiative crawford grill revitalization project, group has stated aims preserve legacy of building through restoration efforts , establishment of new restaurant , nightclub.