Source:Named-for-architectural-club
"Pittsburgh street named for Architectural Club: Philip B. Bown relates story behind how picturesque Charette Way got its title." Pittsburgh Press, Oct. 15, 1939, society section, p. 13. Newspapers.com 141345795.
In the heart of the Golden Triangle is located one of the most interesting club quarters of this district. From its windows many hundreds of people have watched the parades of thousands of marching feet as they turn in formation from Fifth Ave. to Liberty Ave.
Here under the stars have met the elite of Pittsburgh's Social Register to enjoy that unique entertainment with Mardi Gras color—the Soiree Charette. Here the leading architects of the country meet and greet for a common purpose. Here the members of the Magicians Club have mystified their own kind, and many an artist and engineer and politician have met to differ with each other on equal terms.
But what is probably most unusual about this architect's valhalla—The Pittsburgh Architectural Club—is its approach. Its history was described today by Philip B. Bown, president of the Pittsburgh Architectural Club.
Act of Council
That short bit of paving which appears as a gap in the solid wall expanse as one walks from Liberty Ave. toward Penn on Fifth Ave. Extension, where debris lies on the ground in piles and walls are draped with fire escapes and steel beams, has been named by act of City Council "Charette Way," upon petition of members of the Pittsburgh Architectural Club.
"Charette, a French word, meaning a wheeled delivery cart," explains Mr. Bown, "was chosen by the Club members because of its architectural significance. The students at the French Beaux Arts School of Architecture, upon nearing the completion of their architectural problems at their various office school rooms of [sic] ateliers, placed their work, which is mounted upon large boards, on the Charette or cart for delivery to the Ecole de Beaux Arts for judgment or marking.
En Charette
"Some of the less fortunate youths who had not completed their work ran alongside the cart with brush in hand placing on their drawing the final touches—En Charette.
"Thus the story behind the naming of one of Pittsburgh's shortest streets, "Charette Way."