The story
The Oyster House opened on October 12, 1870, under owner Hugh Lynn, on a nearby corner of Fifth Avenue, and later moved into the Market Square space that had held the Bear Tavern since 1827. Louis "Silver Dollar Louie" Americus bought it in 1916 and came up with a signature breaded coating and fish sandwiches so big they needed a special bun. During Prohibition, soda pop kept sales going.
Louis Grippo bought the restaurant on its 100th birthday, October 12, 1970, and added two adjoining buildings in 1972, the same year Market Square became the city's first historic district. More than 25 movies have been filmed here.
Everything that was here
- 1870–present · still open
The Original Oyster HouseRestaurant
Oysters cost a penny and beer a dime when this bar opened in 1870. Its Market Square site had been the Bear Tavern since 1827.
See the map in 1871 →
Did you know?
Connected places
The Uptown Theatre
Froggy's
Explore the full web of connections on the map.
Nearby history
Froggy's
Jenkins Arcade
Wabash Pittsburgh Terminal
Kaufmann's Department Store
Byham Theatre
Stanley Theatre (Benedum Center)
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