Trip #620 Overbrook Blvd to Dartmore Street, Overbrook, Pittsburgh took place on August 6, 2021, and was published on August 9, 2021.
At one point in time, this flight of city steps connected Dartmore Street to the corner of Overbrook, but now it can only be accessed through a used car lot. While the wooden steps are covered in vines, the entire structure remains sturdy even if you can’t do anything beyond walking up and down them (providing a curious sight to the drivers waiting at the traffic light). The location reminds me of a long-ago time when the inconsistencies of cheap used cars were a never-ending life stressor. The repairs, the bills, the asking for rides to work (again), the long walks home, and the embarrassment and envy I felt about myself and others who were able to buy new cars. Thankfully, those days are way off in the rear-view mirror and relatively obscured by the greenery of more affirming memories, much like this old, nearly forgotten stairway.
Field Notes: As this flight appears to now be on private property, I had to schedule my visit in the evening after the car lot was closed. The area is a heavily traveled one with a large pile of dumped cigarette butts! Yuck! The tree up the street also appeared to be suffering from a sort of bark disorder which makes it look very interesting (but I can’t imagine it’s healthy).
Love city steps? Get yourself the latest issue of Mis.Steps: Our Missed Connections with Pittsburgh’s City Steps! Each copy is unique and features 10 randomly selected “trading cards” of Pittsburgh’s 739 public stairways. Visit the Mis.Steps online store to see all issues and place your order.
Want to visit these stairs? You can locate them on the Pittsburgh City Steps Plan website!
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.
