Pensive Pittsburgher

Since 1975, the Sister Bridges have adorned the iconic Aztec Gold color. But when Allegheny County announced a major overhaul project on the bridges in 2015, it provided the public with a poll to determine whether the bridges would remain gold, be painted three different colors (gold for the Clemente, grey for the Warhol, and green for the Carson), or all be painted a new color.

Pittsburghers are nostalgic—and a bit stubborn—so Aztec Gold won by a whopping 85%

Another Aztec Gold bridge in Pittsburgh is famous for more than just its color. For nearly 30 years, the south tower of the Tenth Street Bridge has adorned four black animal figures resembling some combination of dinosaurs, ducks, and geese.

This episode is also available as a blog post here.

The Three Sisters are the only trio of identical bridges in the world. Like the Union Bridge from the first post in this series and the Fort Wayne Railroad Bridge from the second, the Three Sisters were largely a result of the River and Harbor Act of 1899 (“Act”), passed by Congress on March 3.

The year after World War I ended, federal officials set a deadline for the Sixth, Seventh, and Ninth Street bridges to comply with the Act. By 1924, Allegheny County voters approved a $29.2 million bond for constructing the Three Sisters, known locally as the Sister Bridges.

This episode is also available as a blog post here.

Last week, we learned the tragic fate of the Union Bridge after a decree by the Secretary of War, a congressional act, a Supreme Court decision, and ultimately a flood. The Fort Wayne Railroad Bridge could have met a similar fate, but instead, it remains one of the most active and architecturally intriguing railroad bridges in Pittsburgh.

This episode is also available as a blog post here.

In the 206 years since Pittsburgh became a city, there have been six different bridges connecting the Point to neighborhoods across the rivers—three across the Allegheny River to the north and three across the Monongahela River to the south.

Allegheny River Bridges (North)

Monongahela River Bridges (South)

Bridge City: Part 1

This episode is also available as a blog post here.

Pittsburgh is a bustling “little” big city. People are always on the move, but on the eve of the Great Depression, a 6,000-ton stone building moved 27 feet in the air, 32 feet to the side, 267 feet down the road, and 15 feet back down. That building is the former Allegheny County Morgue.

This episode is also available as a blog post here.

Just across the street from First Presbyterian Church (“FPC”) of Pittsburgh—a longstanding symbol of faithfulness and benevolence in the city—lies another longstanding symbol in the city: the Duquesne Club.

The Duquesne Club stands as a symbol of wealth and elitism, and it was founded in 1873.

This episode is also available as a blog post here.

Sixth Avenue is a peculiar street. On one side are the wealthiest elites, and on the other, the needy and homeless. This week, I am writing about First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh (“FPC”), and next week, we’ll stroll across the street.

This episode is also available as a blog post here.

This is the origin story of the bomber mafia—and really—this is the rebirth story of our city.

Malcolm Gladwell is a prolific author for whom an entire genre of literature is named: Gladwellian nonfiction. In his latest book, The Bomber Mafia, Gladwell dedicates a few pages to an event in Pittsburgh’s history likely overlooked by many.

PPG Plaza is a six-building complex in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh. The crown jewel of the complex is One PPG Place, a 40-story office tower made entirely from glass, affectionately known as the "Glass Castle." This castle doesn't have a moat, but as of 2003, it has a high-tech computer-choreographed fountain surrounding a modern sculpture.

This episode is also available as a blog post here.

Pop Quiz: What is the oldest building in Pittsburgh?

Is it the Allegheny County Court House? The Union Trust Building? Union Station? Nope.

The oldest building in downtown Pittsburgh is the Block House, which dates back to the French & Indian War and was constructed in 1764.

This episode is also available as a blog post here.