Forbes Field was a baseball park in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from 1909 to June 28, 1970. It was the third home of the Pittsburgh Pirates and the first home of the Pittsburgh Steelers.The stadium was named after British general John Forbes, who fought in the French and Indian War, and named the city in 1758.

The US $1 million ($26.3 million today) project was initiated by Pittsburgh Pirates' owner Barney Dreyfuss, with the goal of replacing his franchise's then-current home, Exposition Park.

The stadium was made of concrete and steel (one of the first of its kind) in order to increase its lifespan. The Pirates opened Forbes Field on June 30, 1909 against the Chicago Cubs, and would play the final game that was also against the Cubs on June 28, 1970.

The field itself featured a large playing surface, with the batting cage placed in the deepest part of center field during games. Seating was altered multiple times throughout the stadium's life; at times fans were permitted to sit on the grass in the outfield during overflow crowds. The Pirates won three World Series while at Forbes Field.

Though Forbes Field was praised upon its opening, it began to show its age after 60 years of use. The park was the second oldest baseball field in the league at the time – only Shibe Park in Philadelphia was older.

The location of the park, which was initially criticized for not being developed, grew into a "bustling business district" which led to a lack of parking space. One sportswriter wrote that The House of Thrills had become "as joyless as a prison exercise yard".

Following a plan to expand their adjacent campus, the University of Pittsburgh purchased Forbes Field in 1958, with an agreement to lease the stadium to the Pirates until a replacement could be built. A proposal for a new sports stadium in Pittsburgh was first made in 1948, but plans did not attract much attention until the late 1950s.

Construction began on Three Rivers Stadium on April 25, 1968. The Pittsburgh Pirates and the Chicago Cubs played a double-header on June 28, 1970.

Pittsburgh won the first game 3–2. In the later game Al Oliver hit the last home run in the park, and Matty Alou drove in two runs as the Pirates closed the 62-year-old stadium with a 4–1 victory.

The 40,918 spectators in attendance stood and cheered as Dave Giusti retired Willie Smith for the final out at the stadium. Pirates Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente played 15 seasons at Forbes Field.

He was emotional during the last game saying, "I spent half my life there." After the game, home plate was dug up and taken by helicopter to Three Rivers Stadium to be installed in the artificial turf.

Some remnants of the ballpark still stand, surrounded by the campus of the University of Pittsburgh. Fans gather on the site annually on the anniversary of Bill Mazeroski's World Series winning home run, in what author Jim O'Brien writes is "one of the most unique expressions of a love of the game to be found in a major league city".

The left-center and center field brick wall with "457 FT" stands at its original location, along with the stadium's flagpole, adjacent to the University of Pittsburgh's Mervis and Posvar Halls.(Photo: Gordon Donovan)



A historical marker honoring the location of the former home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Forbes Field. (Gordon Donovan)



However, its location has been altered; author John McCollister wrote, "Had architects placed home plate in its precise spot about half of the Pirates fans could not view it. The reason: it would have to be on display in the fifth stall of the ladies' restroom. (Gordon Donovan)



A ceremony is held each October 13 at the outfield wall in Oakland to listen to a taped broadcast of the final game of the 1960 World Series. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)



The 457 marker on the wall in dead center at Forbes Field. (Gordon Donovan)



The original location of that wall is outlined by bricks extending from the left-center field wall into the sidewalk. (Gordon Donovan)



The original location of that wall is outlined by bricks extending from the left-center field wall across Roberto Clemente Drive and into the sidewalk. (Gordon Donovan)



The outside of the Forbes Field outfield with the Cathedral of Learning in the background on the University of Pittsburgh campus. (Gordon Donovan)



A large print out of photo taken by George Silk of Life Magazine hangs in University of Pittsburgh's Posvar Hall shows students at the University of Pittsburgh’s Cathedral of Learning had a special perspective on Forbes Field below as they cheered the Pirates during Game 7 of the 1960 World Series. The print is signed by Bill Mazeroski. (Gordon Donovan)



A view from the University of Pittsburgh’s Cathedral of Learning showing Posvar Hall where Forbes Field once stood. The balcony where the 1960 photo was taken is off-limits today. (Gordon Donovan)



The 436 marker on the wall surrounded by ivy at Forbes Field. (Gordon Donovan)



A marker next to Forbes Fields' home plate encased in the lobby floor of the University of Pittsburgh's Posvar Hall. (Gordon Donovan)



Forbes Fields' home plate lies encased and on display in the lobby floor of the University of Pittsburgh's Posvar Hall. The plate is just outside an entrance of a ladies room. (Gordon Donovan)



Photos taken August 8, 2009 and June 14, 2011 using a Canon EOS Canon Mark IV and 50D Digital SLR with a EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Standard Zoom Lens.