Larimer School
Why it's listed
Built from 1896 on Larimer Avenue at Winslow Street, the school is a five-by-nine-bay, two-and-a-half-story brick and terra cotta building with a hipped roof. Architect Ulysses J. Lincoln Peoples designed the original section and a 1904 addition joined by an elaborate entry with Corinthian columns, figurative terra cotta carving, and open arcading. The entry was originally topped by a campanile, which was demolished in 1958. A 1932 auditorium wing by George M. Rowland has a limestone facade, Doric columns, and an Art Deco interior with black marble wainscoting and a geometric aluminum ceiling. The school is regarded as the most elaborate and intact of Pittsburgh's public schools, and it is recognized for its terra cotta work, which relates to the 1893 Columbian Exposition. It operated as a school until 1980.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the school is the most elaborate and intact of the Pittsburgh public schools of its era. Its terra cotta ornament, particularly the connecting entry, is described as unique in the city and reminiscent of the 1893 Columbian Exposition. The 1932 Art Deco wing adds a second period of design interest.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 86002675, listed September 30, 1986. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Larimer Ave. at Winslow St., Pittsburgh |
|---|---|
| County | Allegheny County |
| Listed | September 30, 1986 |
| Reference number | 86002675 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1881-1900; 1921-1940 |
| Architect / builder | U.J.L. Peoples (architect); George M. Rowland (architect of the 1932 addition) |
| Architectural style | Renaissance Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The building functioned as a school until 1980. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 40.46537, -79.91250 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 86002675.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6489371
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.