George Westinghouse, inventor of the air brake (which revolutionized train travel) and champion of the alternating current, was a true visionary. In 1893 he located his air brake business to Wilmerding, PA, in the Turtle Creek Valley, outside of Pittsburgh. There he built Westinghouse Air Brake Company’s world headquarters, designed by noted architect Frederick Osterling. In the 1920’s, renowned architect Benno Janssen added a wing to the eastern side of the original building, completing the building that we know today.
In recent years, the building — due to its exquisite architecture — has been known as the “Westinghouse Castle.”
Industry left the Turtle Creek Valley in the 1970’s and 80’s, and Wilmerding, like many of its counterpart mill towns in Western Pennsylvania, was beset by challenges. Jobs left. People left. Commerce left.
While the Castle remains, it too has challenges. It has been vacant since 2012. The developers are working hard at securing the building and grounds, and preserving them as well as they can be. However, while the Castle’s foundation, roof, walls and other structural elements are solid, the elements are taking their toll on wallpaper, plaster, and other interior components have deteriorated, giving an urgency to the renovation of this architectural gem.