Frank Conrad House

At this location in 1916, Frank Conrad transmitted one of the first radio broadcasts from his garage. The station that Conrad started would later become KDKA, the very first radio station. Frank Conrad died in 1941 and the home was sold to the Wilkinsburg Elks.

This property straddled the Wilkinsbug/Pittburgh boundary. After a lengthy battle to save the Conrad home and garage as a National Museum of Broadcasting, the funding was not forthcoming. The garage was dismantled and stored, the home was demolished and a fast-food restaurant was built.

A PA Historic marker was placed in 2014 to honor Conrad about one block down from the home/garage site. The restaurant parking lot and corporate rules prevented placing the marker at the exact site. There is still hope that the National Museum of Broadcasting can become a reality.

More info in our digital archives!