Penn & Liberty Avenues (Commercial Buildings), Harper Building, 723-725 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, PA

Written data includes sketches & photocopies of maps & photographs.
Significance: The Harper Building is significant as a tribute to John Arunah Harper, a prominent financier, organizer, and philanthropist in late 19th century Pittsburgh. Harper's long career with the Bank of Pittsburgh led to his election as president of that institution, which he served from 1866 to his death in 1891; he guided other phases of industrial and business life as well. Mrs. Lydia Harper, John's wife, commissioned the erection of the nine-story mercantile warehouse that bears her husband's name shortly after his death. She selected Charles Bickel, an architect of regional interest, to execute the work.
Unprocessed Field note material exists for this structure: FN-202
Survey number: HABS PA-5152-E
Building/structure dates: 1892-1893 Initial Construction
Building/structure dates: ca. 1940 Subsequent Work