Trip #698 56th Street, Stanton Heights, Pittsburgh took place on February 11, 2022, and was published on February 28, 2022.
We honor the places and spaces of the past in two ways: continuously learning about them and applying their teachings to our present lives and future situations. While we cannot alter what has already occurred, the past is not static and unchanging like an old photograph—our interpretation is forever in a state of flux as personal and societal views change. Maintaining openness to new information and voices allows us to see how the days of long ago are not always so different from our lives today. Fortunately, those sepia-toned, stern-faced ancestors left us desire paths and breadcrumb trails that allow us to travel between their time and ours, creating a sort of “living history museum” we can explore at any time.
Field Notes: Strangely, there are TWO 56th Streets. I don’t understand how this happened, but if you look on any map you’ll see it. This flight is on the 56th Street that connects directly to Celadine Street. This little pocket neighborhood is a reminder of times gone by – and surrounded by new development and visions of the future. As a fun side note, while I was visiting, I discovered an assortment of oranges that someone had disposed of!
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.
