Trip #134 Marvista Street, California-Kirkbride, Pittsburgh took place on May 5, 2018, and was published on May 16, 2018.
Urban life is sheer theater. You get to be both actor and spectator in the grand story unfolding before our eyes. The 209 steps from Marvista to Winifred were once the set and stage that told an epic drama. Lines were spoken, movements orchestrated, and while the plot had moments of humor, excitement, and romance, by the end, all were brought to tragedy and ruin. But is it the end? Or is this the intermission? Here, there is no curtain to close, no houselights to raise. The stage is still here and waiting for a fresh cast of actors, writers, dancers, and musicians to come forward and create a new story. Come and let a new act begin! The hillside birds-of-a-feather await you!
Field Notes: This end of Marvista is like the Land that Time Forgot. Once you get up to Winifred or Success Street, it’s totally inhabited, but down here few houses are occupied and even fewer are still standing.
Want to visit these stairs? You can locate them on the Pittsburgh City Steps Plan website!
See the Risograph print of this photo and story in the Mis.Steps Shop.
Be a good neighbor! Have you visited these stairs and found them in poor condition or that illegal dumping (large items like tires, old furniture, and construction debris) and trash were abundant in the area? There are two things you can do to take action and make our city steps cleaner and safer for everyone! First, grab a photo if you can, and submit a report to Pittsburgh 311. All problems, both broken stairs, and railings, as well as trash and dumping, should be reported to the city. You can easily do this online or by calling. If the location has an abundance of illegal dumping and trash, also contact Allegheny Cleanways, letting them know the location and the nature of the garbage. Thank you!!
