Revisiting Herron Avenue to Wylie Avenue, Middle Hill, Pittsburgh, took place on August 19, 2022, and was published on August 19, 2022.
Charles “Teenie” Harris photographed hundreds of celebrities and chronicled decades of Black life in Pittsburgh. His images capture a story in the making, and his artifacts are all that remain of the twinkling eyes, downward glances, radiant smiles, and expressions of loss. In Harris’ photos, people have the starring roles, and the setting (a club, a street corner, a home) provides the supporting details. To the best of my knowledge, city steps never appear, although the Hill District has plenty of them. So last night, while thumbing through the 2002 CMOA photobook “One Shot Harris,” I was surprised to see an image of Herron and Wylie Avenues. I was also surprised because, for this image, I knew exactly where Harris stood. City steps have been on this corner since the 1920s—and the railings make a memorable cameo in the shot. Needless to say, I couldn’t wait to get over there and try my best to straddle time: one foot in 2022 and the other on that day in 1944 when Harris stood by these stairs and looked out over the intersection with its cars and trolly tracks, shops, and litter and people going about their lives. In one shot, the built environment, including a set of railings that bridges our worlds, got the starring role.
Field Notes: Seeing a Teenie Harris photo of this intersection from 1944 made me want to come back. He likely took his photo from on near the city steps as they existed at that time. The area has changed so much that it’s a bit heartbreaking.
Love city steps? Get yourself the latest and FINAL issue of Mis.Steps: Our Missed Connections with Pittsburgh’s City Steps! Each copy is unique and features 10 randomly selected “trading cards” of the 739 public stairways referenced in Bob Regan’s Pittsburgh Steps book. Visit the Mis.Steps online store to see all issues and place your order.
Want to visit these stairs? You can locate them on the Pittsburgh City Steps Plan website!
Be a good neighbor! Have you visited these stairs and found them in poor condition or that illegal dumping and trash were abundant in the area? Please take action and make our city steps cleaner and safer for everyone! Grab a photo if you can, and submit a report to Pittsburgh 311. All problems should be reported to the city. You can easily do this online or by calling. Thank you!!
