Pittsburg
www.pittks.org
With a population of 19,639, Pittsburg is currently the largest city in Southeast Kansas. Pittsburg was established in 1876 by Col. E.H. Brown with the first home built that same year by J.T. Roach. The city’s first business was a general store started by G. W. Seabury and Co. Pittsburg was incorporated in 1879 as a third class city which sparked the population to grow. Between 1884 and 1890, the population grew from 4,000 to 6,697.
This increase was due to jobs created with coal mining and the railroad. Coal mining was the main occupation at the time, there were 11,835 miners employed by 55 different coal companies.
Both businesses and individuals continue to be attracted to Pittsburg’s economic growth. Recent years have seen a substantial increase in both retail services and housing construction. In the last three years alone, Pittsburg’s north retail district has welcomed such well-known names as Starbucks, Chili’s, Hastings, a new Wal-Mart Supercenter and many more. Local attractions Immigrant Park and Miner’s Memorial have recently opened to the community and welcome residents of the area as well as travelers.
On Pittsburg’s south end, Meadowbrook Mall and Meadowbrook Commons are at near-capacity and are within walking distance of the Pittsburg State University campus and Mt. Carmel Regional medical center. In the middle of it all, Pittsburg’s historic downtown area has come alive thanks to matching façade grants that have complemented the substantial private investment made by many downtown business and property owners.
Construction is slated to be completed on the city’s new public safety center and fire station #1 this year. The facilities represent a $10.9 million investment for the city. The public safety center will further enhance the rejuvenated downtown area and the fire station will prepare the city for anticipated growth west toward the future route of a four-lane Highway 69.
Pittsburg State University will cut the ribbon on its newest facility in 2008. On the heels of opening the $5.7 million Tyler Research Center, Pitt State recently unveiled its new 97,000-square-foot Student Recreation Center/Kansas Army National Guard Readiness Center. The project represents a $15 million investment for the university. Pitt State’s growth has also spurred the area housing market. The Quad Cities-based Oxbow Development Corporation recently completed construction on Crimson Villas, an upscale, 108-unit gated apartment complex located just south of the PSU campus. The development is in response to the increased demand for student housing brought on by the explosive growth at PSU.