Trip #241 Chauncey Street, Middle Hill, Pittsburgh took place on January 12, 2019, and was published on January 28, 2019.
There’s a Teenie Harris photo of two young children standing beside a pile of burning trash. The year is uncertain, maybe mid-1940s. In the photo, the sidewalk is crumbling, and the brick building that edges the rubbish heap is boarded up. A for sale sign is prominently displayed above an advertisement for Lucky Strikes and a poster promoting the NAACP. I think of this photo as I look at these old stairs, built in a similar era, built in the same neighborhood. And like the photo, there’s a pile of rubbish. But nowadays it’s no longer burned, it’s merely collecting along the hillside. Providing bursts of color in a sepia-toned landscape.
Field Notes: A long, straight flight built into a steeply sloping hillside. There was a hawk circling overhead while I was here – that was a real treat to see and listen to.
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!!
