Trip #64 Iowa Street, Terrace Village, Pittsburgh took place on October 20, 2017, and was published on November 29, 2017.
It’s jarring when confronted by the discrepancy between where we perceive a place to be compared with its actual location. In our mind, our memory, our faulty brain-like-a-sieve, locations are stored alongside various bits of corresponding information. This is where it is. This is where it was. And then the moment comes when we’re confronted with reality. No, it’s over there. No, it’s not that way, it’s this way. Even when we think our memory is strong, we succumb. But, that’s the trick the mind plays on all of us, isn’t it? We believe with such confidence we have it right, but in reality, that familiar flight of stairs may be a little off to the left.
Field Notes: Even though I knew this flight in Terrace Village was across Centre Ave. from the one I had visited previously, I became totally disoriented driving there! Should have parked on the other side and simply walked down and over…
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!!
