Trip #713 Frank Street, Greenfield, Pittsburgh took place on March 31, 2022, and was published on April 4, 2022.
Our powers of observation (when we choose to use them) can tell us a great deal about the history of a neighborhood. And the details we find in the history of a neighborhood can shed light on the evolution of engineering, building technologies, and municipal investments. From identifying the facades of old brick commercial buildings to marveling at the ever-changing styles of residential homes to the materials used to construct city steps, sidewalks, and roads, when we take time to look at our environment, we connect to the many different layers of the past. So the next time you’re out for a walk, envision it as a kind of Easter egg hunt. You’ll quickly realize we’re inhabiting a living history museum!
Field Notes: This flight on Frank Street in Greenfield was recently updated thanks to PGH DWP! So, the steps count and date that appeared in Bob Regan’s book no longer apply. The new flight also has a built-in bike runnel and the step height is very low and comfortable for many more pedestrians. Also, the Spectra was behaving but I still took an iType to compare… I like the Spectra version better!
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.
