When we look at huge old Victorian houses, it's easy to forget that households -- and families -- were much larger a century ago. According to the 1870 U.S. Census, 11 people occupied 226 W. Swissvale Ave. in Edgewood, making full use of its seven bedrooms and 3 1/2 baths.

Seven of them were the children of the owners, Malazena and William Anderson. Two others were distinguished, long-term guests -- inventor George Westinghouse and his wife, Marguerite, who stayed with the Andersons while waiting for workers to finish building their Homewood mansion.

The house is on the market for $479,000 through Realtor Dana Thomas of Albert Anthony Real Estate.

Mr. Anderson was a journalist who later became editor-in-chief of the Pittsburgh Commercial Gazette, a forerunner of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. His house, which was built in 1869, retains its 12-foot plaster ceilings and much of its original woodwork and stained-glass windows. Period mantels and fireplace surrounds are executed in marble, ceramic tile and elaborately milled woodwork.

In addition to the seven bedrooms, there is a small room that could be an office and an 18-by-18-foot room that could be used as a game room. Both are in the third floor, which was added along with a rear addition in the early 1900s.

Although the rooms and architectural details were intact, the house needed lots of work when contractor J.B. Purdue bought it in February for $125,000. Since then, he says he has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in restoring it. In addition to a new roof, electrical, plumbing and central air-conditioning updates, it has a remodeled eat-in kitchen with new appliances. In the master bathroom, a jetted tub and slate floors with radiant heat were installed. Also, the driveway was paved in asphalt and some of its cedar-shingle siding was replaced before the house was painted.

Open houses are scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m. today and next Sunday.

The house has an assessed market value of $171,300 based on its pre-renovation condition (www2.county.allegheny.pa.us/RealEstate/). In the past four years, 11 other houses have sold on West Swissvale Avenue (several more than once) for prices ranging from $83,500 in November 2007 to $440,000 in December 2007 (www.realstats.net).

Edgewood Borough (www.edgewood. pgh.pa.us/) is part of the Woodland Hills School District (www.whsd.k12.pa.us).