Construction began on Forbes Field on January 1st 1909. Barney Dreyfuss contracted Charles Wellford Leavitt Jr. to design and construct the ballpark. Leavitt was well known for his tremendous work in the racing circuit where he had designed the Belmont and Saratoga Racetracks *wiki. The new stadium would cost a total of $1 million dollars which… even during the turn of the century was a bargain for a 3 tier steel and concrete stadium.  Forbes Field wouldn't be ready until mid-season, so the Pittsburgh Pirates
continued to play at their previous home… the all wooden Exposition Park, until June 29th when they played their final game there vs. the Cubs. Field opened up to a sold out crowd amid much fanfare. It was described as the biggest sporting opening ceremony in United States history up until that time. All seats were sold and 5,000 overflow tickets were sold for people to sit in the outfield along what would have been the warning track.