1950 January 0
Population: 676,806. Pittsburgh is listed as the 12th largest city in America.

1950 January 4
For the third time in two years, the Pittsburgh Railways Company announced rate increases -- to 15 cents on trolleys and 20 cents on buses.

1950 January 11
Lawsuits brought by property owners in the Lower Triangle were dismissed by State Supreme Court and the way was clear for construction of the 23-acre Gateway Center.

1950 January 25
January heat records were shattered when the temperature went to 76.

1950 February 10
Detailed plans were disclosed for construction of the Penn-Lincoln Parkway West with a large interchange in Carnegie.

1950 February 14
Fifty million dollars worth of contracts were signed in the Mayor's office for the start of Gateway Center. At the same time the Urban Redevelopment Authority announced purchase of the Jones and Laughlin building, on Ross Street, for use as civic headquarters. The city also announced purchase of the Peoples Gas building for $1,116,000 for demolition in the Mellon Square Park project.

1950 February 22
In testimony before the House committee, Matt Cvetic placed the number of Communist party members in Western Pennsylvania at 550, listed a number of Pittsburgh organizations as Communist "fronts," and exposed the names of many Pittsburghers alleged to be connected with the Communist party.

1950 February 27
The Central Christian Church in Bellefield was destroyed by fire; the loss was estimated at $175,000.

1950 March 3
A power-conserving "dimout" ended in the Pittsburgh district as the United Mine Workers and coal-mine operators agreed on a wage increase to settle a nationwide strike.

1950 March 21
City Council passed six ordinances banning billboards along the route of the Penn-Lincoln Parkway, except for a portion west of Bates Street.

1950 April 30
The Nixon Theater-47 years and 48 seasons old-closed its doors with a performance of Mae West's Diamond Lil before an audience of 2256.

1950 May 2
Some 150,000 persons were without transportation after 130 drivers of the Harmony Short Line, serving the Allegheny Valley, went on strike.

1950 May 15
Governor Duff gave the signal that set in motion an 1800-pound demolition ball that began wrecking a 103-year-old building at 110 Penn Avenue, first of many destined for destruction in the 36-acre Point Park area.

1950 May 17
Five additional bus lines were idled by a strike of 750 drivers, depriving 450,000 district residents of transportation.

1950 May 18
Mayor Lawrence and Ben Moreell, president of Jones and Laughlin, jointly broke ground for the start of Jones and Laughlin's $60,000,000 open-hearth plant at its South Side works.