This weekend was very fun, hot, and finally no rain! Saturday, we met with Laura Zurowski and Matthew Jacob, the co-authors of City Steps of Pittsburgh: A History & Guide. They are probably the foremost experts on the city steps in Pittsburgh, along with Bob Regan. Bob is a professor at the University of Pittsburgh who, in the late 1990s and early 2000s, located and documented every single set of steps across the city. That was no small task, and it’s hard to even imagine how much time and effort that took. Today we got to climb, explore, and gain first-hand knowledge about these steps. A part of Pittsburgh lore that I didn’t realize was so deep and fascinating.
The main set of steps we went on was called the “Rising Main Steps.” These steps used to connect the old East Street Valley to Fineview on the North Side. The old town that once stood there was demolished years ago to make room for I-279, which is now a major and vital road to the economy of Pittsburgh. That highway carries thousands of cars every day, yet few people probably realize what used to stand where it runs now. Climbing the steps was no joke – it was a hike. In 85-degree weather, under a blazing sun, we made our way up all 371 steps. It was tough, but everyone in the group made it to the top. Laura and Matthew did a fantastic job walking us through the history of the steps, the Fineview community, and even their thoughts about what the future might hold for it.
When we got to the North Side overlook, I saw the Pittsburgh skyline from an angle I’ve never seen before. It was absolutely stunning and made the climb feel worth it. We also talked about how the area is slowly becoming gentrified. There are still some rough spots up there, but seeing that view makes it clear why people would want to move in and invest in the area. Laura and Matthew also shared stories about the old trolley lines that once connected Pittsburgh and much of Western Pennsylvania. I remember exploring the old trolley rail beds with my Dad back in my hometown of New Castle, PA. You could take one all the way to downtown Pittsburgh. It is quite a shame that they were torn up.
But hearing the trolley stories, one story came back to me that I learned about years ago on Wikipedia. Raymond Robinson from Beaver Falls. When he was eight years old, he was badly injured by an electrical line that powered the trolley system. He was permanently disfigured, and over the years, he became an urban legend. People called him “Green Man” or “Charlie No-Face” because he would walk along Route 351 at night, and his appearance would scare people who didn’t know him. But what many don’t realize is that he was a real person, and in his own community, he was respected and cared about. His story is both sad and inspiring, and it adds another layer to the history of this region.
Saturday was a long, adventure-filled day seeing a side of Pittsburgh that most people don’t ever see or even know exists. I always find it inspiring to meet people like Laura, Matthew, people who deeply love and care about their community. They’ve been working hard to raise awareness about the history of the steps and to support efforts to keep these structures in working order. That kind of dedication is rare, and it’s what makes places like Pittsburgh so unique.
Today, Sunday, was a bit lighter but still very enjoyable. As the Haller group, we went to the Cathedral of Learning and took a tour of the Nationality Rooms. Natalie was our tour guide, and she was fantastic. Extremely knowledgeable, kind, and, as has been a recurring theme on this trip, someone who clearly loves Pittsburgh and cares about its history. We didn’t get to see all of the rooms since some were being prepped for the upcoming school year, but we saw a good chunk of them, including the Russian, Indian, and Irish rooms. Walking into each room felt like stepping into another time and place. The details were so rich and well done that it felt like we were transported to the countries they represented. It was fun, engaging, and something I wish we had more time to fully explore. It’s a shame we only had an hour and a half for the tour because I would have loved to see all the rooms and hear more of the stories behind them.
These two experiences really highlight Pittsburgh’s strengths as both a city and a community. Pittsburgh has been through so many ups and downs over the years. From the gilded age of steel and metal manufacturing, when the city was booming, to the painful decline of industry and the population loss that followed, this is a place that has seen it all. But through it all, one thing never wavered, the strong sense of community. The steps themselves are a symbol of that. They connected Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods, giving people easy, free access between their homes and workplaces. When times got tough and the steps fell into disrepair because the city didn’t have enough tax income to maintain them, local communities didn’t just give up. Instead, people came together to trim back the weeds, clean up debris, and make the steps usable again. They turned them into something like a Pittsburgh-style park, a place for walking, exercise, and neighborhood pride. That’s the kind of thing you only see in a community that truly cares about itself.
The Nationality Rooms are another perfect example. Each room celebrates the heritage of an immigrant group that helped build this city. Together, they show how Pittsburgh is a melting pot, a place where people can honor their individual histories and cultures while also coming together to create a broader identity as Pittsburghers. What these stories tell me is that Pittsburghers are resilient. Even when jobs left and industries collapsed, the people here didn’t quit. They stayed and found ways to reinvent their city through technology, banking, healthcare, and innovation. There’s a fighting spirit here, a sense that no matter what happens, this community will find a way forward.
I really believe we as people are a lot more similar than we sometimes think. Such few ideas divide us but so many more unite us. A simple thing like a set of stairs or a classroom full of history and cultural appreciation can remind us that we’re all connected. These things are physical symbols of unity of people coming together and reminds us that we are all here together, united.
It was a great weekend, and I couldn’t fit everything that I and our group did, but I am really loving the University of Pittsburgh.