Father Pitt

Why should the beautiful die?


Pierce-Arrow Dealer, Shadyside

Painter-Dunn building

We continue our visits to car dealers of the mythic past with one that catered to the very highest class of motorist. The Painter-Dunn Company sold Pierce-Arrow cars, a luxury brand that lasted until 1938. This dealership is the architectural equivalent of the Pierce-Arrow advertisements, which concentrated on elegant design without trying to tell us how good the car was. The design conveyed the message.

Pierce-Arrow advertisement
Decorative details

Father Pitt does not know the whole history of this building. The elaborate cornice at the top of the second floor suggests that the third floor was a tastefully managed later addition.

From Millvale Avenue

Note how Millvale Avenue runs right into the garage entrance.

See a random picture
and become a better person

You could buy this book
if you wanted a book.

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