Trip #197 Saint Joseph Way, Southside Slopes, Pittsburgh took place on September 29, 2018, and was published on October 10, 2018.
The streets here are narrow, and the cars look oddly out of place, disruptive to the space. I squeeze into a spot near a retaining wall, a step away from someone’s home. I anticipate a face peeping through the blinds. Someone wanting to know who the interloper is. But I don’t see a thing, and in all honesty, I don’t give more than a glance to the windows. Sometimes, on these closely-knit streets, I feel like an intruder, moving quietly and unobtrusively through a public yet very private space. But even as an outsider, I am curious; I want to know about these homes and people and the street. I wish someone were outside, someone who has lived here for a time, someone who could tell me a once upon a time story. But right now, no one is around. No one is even looking out their windows. At least, not that I can see.
Field Notes: St. Joseph’s Way is a tiny dead-end street but it has two flights of stairs. This one leads down to Brosville Street. I can’t tell if these are “orphan houses” or if the people simply can park on Hackstown Street and enter from the back of the building.
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!!
