Notes:King's Way

1807-01-20: Source:Mellon-v-olivers-estate: Opened and named Kings Alley in accordance with an agreement of Hugh Jelly and Thomas Scott, dated Jan. 20, 1807: to "leave four feet and a half (4½) of each of their respective parts or lot of ground so as to form an alley of nine feet wide between them from Fifth Street to Virgin Alley . . . Which said alley shall be called Kings, and for the convenience of each other and the Borough of Pittsburgh and the citizens thereof forever."

1808-12-14: "Sheriff's sales," Pittsburgh Gazette, [p. 3] (Newspapers.com 96060786): "Also, a lot or piece of ground in the borough of Pittsburgh, part of the lot which is marked in the general plan of said borough, No. 403, to wit: beginning on Fifth-street, at the corner of lot No. 402, and running thence towards Wood-street, 23 1-2 feet; thence by a line running parallel with Market and Wood streets, along King's alley, 120 feet; thence across, parallel line with Fifth-street, to lot No. 402, 23 1-2 feet; thence along same parallel line with Market and Wood streets, 120 feet to the place of beginning. Seized and taken in execution as the property of James M'Candless."

1815: Source:Riddle

• p. 6: "Anderson James, laborer, w side King's alley between Virgin alley & 5th st."
• p. 15: "Burnside Robert, wheelright, e side of King's alley between Virgin alley and 5th"
• p. 31: "Gillespie Hamilton, laborer, s side of Virgin alley between Hillsboro' and King's alley"

1819: Source:Riddle-murray, p. 28: "King's alley, from 5th to Virgin alley, next above Market street."

1881-03-04: Source:Ordinance-1880-1881-33 does not list King's Alley, but it did rename King Alley in Polish Hill to Kenney Alley, presumably to fix the duplication.

1931-02-16: Source:Danver-1931-02-16: "'King Alley.' ¶ Though thousands pass it daily, King alley—or way—is so insignificant that it rates no mention in the city directory. It runs between Fifth and Oliver avenues, just above Market. The Fifth avenue opening is at the Ritz Theater. ¶ Special Officer Frank Malone, who has patrolled the downtown district for years, assures us this eight-foot crevice really is a city street and that 'King alley' is its name. About 10 years ago it was closed for a time, but was reopened. ¶ Office workers use the narrow slit as a shortcut in daytime. At night it is unlit and deserted. The only openings are the exit-doors of the theater and rear entrances of shops. Tangled fire escapes overhead give it a weblike roof."

1938-03-29: Source:Danver-1938-03-29: "When Fifth Was a Cow Pasture. ¶ 'Speaking of King alley,' writes Frank H. Mellon, a retired business man and owner of the property at 602 Liberty avenue, 'it was originally laid out (1805) as a lane between two cow pastures, the owners on each side agreeing that either party could close it by paying the other $200. ¶ 'The Henry Oliver estate, about 1910, having acquired the land on each side of King alley, attempted to close it and erect a building covering it. The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania issued an injunction, reciting that the closing of the alley at this time would be detrimental to the interests of too many people. ¶ 'Prior to 1915,' he continues, 'the title to all property bounded by King alley, Fifth avenue, Liberty avenue and Oliver avenue were subject to a 100-year cow pasture lease, and are so recorded on the books of Allegheny county.' ¶ The injunction suit as brought by Mr. Mellon. At that time he operated a cafe and restaurant in Liberty avenue—a popular rendezvous of politicians and sportsmen. He now makes his home at Conneaut Lake. Among Pittsburgh hunters, by the way, he is known as one of the best shots in the country."

1968-12-27: Source:Ordinance-1968-668 vacated King's Way from Oliver Avenue to a point 87.33 feet southwestwardly therefrom.

1978-06-20: "Burglars crash way to 3 shops," Pittsburgh Press, p. A-8 (Newspapers.com 146932260): "Both break-ins occurred after the burglars gained entry to the wig store by knocking a hole through a brick wall along King's Way behind the shops, police said."

1983-10-02: Robert Baird, "The PATmaze: Construction obstacles give Downtown pedestrians a walk on wild side," Pittsburgh Press, p. J1 (Newspapers.com 146231092): "Find Joe Sciulli sitting at his lonely outpost on the ledge of a freight elevator at King's Way. ¶ Sciulli, a supervisor for the Cauley Detective Agency, is a modern-day sentry, hired by Oliver Realty, the owners of Oliver Plaza, to protect the trailblazers. ¶ Sciulli watches King's Way near Two Oliver Plaza, formerly the site of frequent muggings and purse thefts. He shoos winos and loiterers who used to haunt the area. ¶ 'We have just increased our protection this month to 17 hours—from 7 a. m. to midnight—seven days a week,' said Sciulli."