The Pittsburgh Oddcast

What’s in a Name – Part Deux

 What do you know about the origin of the naming of various things around Pittsburgh? Who was McKee & where are his ‘rocks’? Was Ellwood City named after a Blues Brother? Avalon – the ‘Land of Apples’?

In our first-ever follow-up episode of the Pittsburgh Oddcast on the history and origin of Pittsburgh’s names, we answer listener mail, talk Turkey (Devonshire, that is), discuss the importance of naming things for perpetuity sake and discover that Moon & Mars were quite possibly, not named after their celestial counterparts after all.

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Did you know that the only American ever arrested and accused of being the notorious ‘Jack the Ripper’ once lived in Pittsburgh!?!

In this episode of the Pittsburgh Oddcast, we explore some of the most unusual and sensational tales of murder that have afflicted our City in the past.  

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In this episode of the Pittsburgh Oddcast, we dive deep into the meaning behind the names of ‘Diondega’, I mean, Pittsburgh.

The local names were never meant to just be arbitrary sounds, devoid of any meaning.

Each one tells us a record of the past and a story that was not meant to be forgotten.

From Allentown to Zelienople and everything in between, we are bringing you the 1st in an ongoing series on the origin of Pittsburgh names. 

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Think you know Pittsburgh Hockey history? Hockey didn’t just begin here with the Penguins. Hockey has been continually played in the Burgh since 1895. We had SIXTEEN other teams and even three All-Female hockey teams, but most have been lost to time – that is until now. 

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In this episode of the Pittsburgh Oddcast, we dive deep into the story of a man who overcame all odds to achieve what some would say, is an impossible task - one that would in fact, alter History as we know it.

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The 10th of April, 1845 - a date that was supposed to live in infamy in the hearts and minds of all Pittsburghers. How soon did we forget? Within just a few hours, a third of the City would be engulfed in flames leaving thousands homeless and millions of dollars in damages. In this episode of the Pittsburgh Oddcast, we dive deep into a first-hand account of the devastation and the effects the 'great conflagration' would have upon the rebirth of Pittsburgh. #ThatsItFortPitt     

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“Great Scott”!! In this episode of the Pittsburgh Oddcast, WQED’s incomparable Rick Sebak joins us as we discover and recite what is essentially - 1787 Pittsburgh “clickbait”. We explore tales of real-life witch doctors, runaway funerals, bearded ladies, bizarre advertisements and of course, the dreaded modern muggles.

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In this inaugural episode we journey back in time hundreds of millions of years ago to an age filled with giant salamanders, seashells on top of mountains, ancient bugs and mythical giants of whom our Rivers take their name. Wait, what?!?!

Together we investigate the legends & lore of Pittsburgh's forgotten history lost to time.

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