Trip #263 Jane Street to Mary Street, Southside Slopes took place on March 7, 2019, and was published on March 20, 2019.
As I visit this stairway, I imagine what our city might look like 1,000 years from now as it’s being excavated and cataloged by the archaeologists and tourists of the future. In 3019, will visitors have adventures exploring the remains of “Ancient Pittsburgh” while researchers ponder what daily life was life in this once-thriving metropolis? Of course, there are plenty of plot holes in my daydream, namely that the people and technology of the far-future weirdly resemble the people and technology of today, but my limited abilities at creating science fiction don’t hold me back. Today’s cities are full of tomorrow’s artifacts, and while some may be overlooked and undervalued in the present, come the future, they will tell the stories of our achievements and failures long after we’re unable to.
Field Notes: The Polaroid is of the top part of the flight that connects Mary and Jane Streets – the actual stairs were still covered in snow and quite “slippy” (as they say in Pittsburgh). I was NOT wearing good footwear so I really needed to be cautious!
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!!
