Revisiting Trip #1 Dornbush Street, East Hills, Pittsburgh, took place on July 2, 2022, and was published on July 5, 2022.
On July 5, 2017, I began sharing my journey through Bob Regan’s 739 sets of city steps, and on July 2, 2022, I revisited where it all began: Dornbush Street in Pittsburgh’s East Hills neighborhood. That initial visit is still very clear in my memory because I was filled with anticipation, excitement, and anxiety. After walking up and down the flight, I found a slightly obscured spot on the stairs where I made myself comfortable and ate a turkey sandwich. I had recently recovered from a lower back injury and was happy to sit without physical discomfort! In the project’s early days, I worried about being noticed. Telling people I was taking photos of their city steps, while accurate, felt weird and unbelievable. Little was I to know that speaking the truth had the power to turn even the most skeptical neighborhood guardian into an easy-going conversationalist.
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While it’s staggering how much has changed in the last five years, Dornbush remains true to my memories. Houses are empty, occupied, and undergoing repairs. Grassy lawns are cut, and flowers are blooming. Litter collects in the open, overgrown spaces. People are washing cars, listening to music, and walking to Family Dollar. I travel the stairs, taking in the familiar scene, and feel like I’ve jumped from past to present with nothing but a small gap in-between. A man walks by and waves, and soon after, I greet the letter carrier making her rounds. Within seconds I hear her say hello to two kids playing on a front porch. And I realize this is why time slips by so quickly. While seismic changes mark our eras, the small, seemingly unforgettable interactions propel us forward minute to minute, week to week, year to year.
Field Notes: This is where the journey began, Dornbush Street in the East Hills. It was good to go back and visit! Like reconnecting with an old friend. š If that wasn’t enough good vibes, the Spectra performed like a champ. The only downside was noticing all the intentional gaps in the railings. Every time you see a gap in the railings, look into the hillside and remember that at one time, a home stood not too far away. š
Love city steps? Get yourself the latest and FINAL issue of Mis.Steps: Our Missed Connections with Pittsburghās City Steps! Each copy is unique and features 10 randomly selected ātrading cardsā of the 739 public stairways referenced in Bob Regan’s Pittsburgh Steps book. Visit the Mis.Steps online storeĀ to see all issues and place your order.
Want to visit these stairs?Ā You can locate them on theĀ 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!!
