Trip #705 McCartney Street to Noblestown Road, West End, Pittsburgh took place on March 11, 2022, and was published on March 16, 2022.
If you want to get out and explore some relics of Pittsburgh’s history, now is the time—because, in less than a month, the hillsides will be hip-high in native plants and invasive greenery. The southwestern corner of the West End, which borders Ridgemont and Westwood, is an excellent place for adventuring as several old and long-abandoned flights are close to one another. These city steps on McCartney Street are close to ones on Woodville Avenue and Journal and Junius Streets, and they’re all in similar states of complete disrepair. While the West End had many public stairways that pre-dated the 1923 official maps, the versions you’ll encounter today were likely reconstructed in the years following WWII. Infrastructure that’s 70+ years old is old, but it’s a spring chicken compared to the Old Stone Tavern, which is in the same neighborhood. Simply make your way over to 434 Greentree Road and imagine yourself in the 1777 edition of the United States. Time-traveling has never been easier or more accessible!
Field Notes: This flight makes quite the striking appearance on this steep hillside in the West End. McCartney Street is a dead-end and has a few homes on one side and a concrete manufacturer on the other. There are several other large flights in this section of the city and they’re all in a “ruined” state with few people living in the area. Makes you wonder what it all looked like 100 years ago!
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.
