Trip #377 Sorell Street, Marshall Shadeland, Pittsburgh took place on November 17, 2019, and was published on December 18, 2019.
It’s early afternoon, and despite the sunshine, an electric candle flickers in a window of the house at the base of the stairs. I think about the symbolism that’s been associated with this gesture for the last several centuries and wonder what the inhabitant’s intentions were. A sign of solidarity? A call to the persecuted? A welcome to any who wander down this quiet, dead-end street? For all I know, the candle could be a child’s night light that wasn’t turned off upon awakening. This most fundamental and literal interpretation pleases me, and I think about the power a soft glow has in banishing monsters and vanquishing anxieties brought on by darkness. A fear that has plagued both young and old for centuries – and one unlikely to end anytime soon.
Field Notes: This short sidewalk flight is on a quiet dead-end street that has only a few occupied houses.
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!!
