Troy Hill Citizens Park, Troy Hill: Hatteras, Claim & Lager
The Purse Way – Harpster Street city steps that connect Spring Hill to Troy Hill are some of my favorites (despite not wanting to play favorites), and it gives me so much joy to realize these stairs exit right at Troy Hill Citizens Park. The land at the intersection of Hatteras, Claim, and Lager once held a school, but after the building was torn down, the neighborhood association bought the property and developed a modest park. Some of the stone slabs that line the pathways date back to the 1850s and come from the old Basin Street water reservoir. I sit on a bench for a while and think about the many different iterations this land around me has experienced. I’m sure some versions were good, some were unfortunate, but most are totally unknown to me. Still, neighborhood pride has persisted despite the changes. It may look and sound different than 50, 100, or 150 years ago, but the lamp in the window is still lit, and having purpose is a powerful fuel.
“The one who has a why to live can bear with almost any how.” ~ Nietzsche
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City Steps of Pittsburgh: A History & Guide explores the history of the steps and the neighborhoods in which they were built. It also includes 13 guided walks and 20+ locations worth visiting—all with detailed descriptions, directions, and resources for creating your own urban hiking adventure. All areas of Pittsburgh are represented: north, south, east, and west. The book is available through all online shops (including our publisher) and local and independent bookstores.