Tom Ratchkauskas Photography

Sunday, September 28, 2014

South Side - Shores of Steel - Pittsburgh

A two mile stretch along the south shore of the Monongahela River, once four distinct boroughs presented to John Ormsby by King George III for his service during the French and Indian War. Later becoming a magnet for immigrants seeking work in heavy industry, the area became a world famous center for glass production as well as steel, Pittsburgh's first physician helped design the area, evident in streets such as Sarah Street, Josephine Street and Carson Street named after relatives. The Victorian street, one of the longest in the country today, once brimming with blue collar workers, now brims with an unprecedented amount of bars, restaurants and retail space, Pittsburgh's own version of Bourbon Street. A prime example of Pittsburgh's ability to repurpose older structures once vital to its growth into new structures vital to its future growth, the four boroughs now form the South Side Flats and South Side Slopes. In the South Side Flats, over 80 bars and restaurants operate alongside new retail and recreational space. In the Slopes, one can get a feel for history on the steep hilltops some accessible by staircases that double as named streets, once traveled by the footsteps of immigrant workers. Easy access to downtown and universities make the South Side one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Pittsburgh just a decade or two after its steep decline. One can enjoy the old charm of the Victorian East Carson Street or the new South Side works, just off the Hot Metal Bridge, filled with new retail and office space such as R.E.I, one of the only Hofbrauhaus locations in the United States and the corporate headquarters of American Eagle. Once the site of an old steel mill, it has been repurposed to become some of the most desired real estate in the city, evident by the large number of condominium complexes popping up along the river. An extension of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail runs along the river providing unique views of the city while providing new found recreation for the people of Pittsburgh.

View of Cathedral of Learning from Hot Metal Bridge - eastern end of South Side

Paddleboarders on the Monongahela River

Monongahela River facing east from Hot Metal Bridge

Sunset hits the Pittsburgh hilltops

View of Downtown from Hot Metal Bridge

South Side section of Three Rivers Heritage Trail

Monongahela River waves illuminated by sunset

Docked barges

A boat passes under the Hot Metal Bridge

Benches just outside of Hofbrauhuas

2nd Avenue - "Technology Drive"

Sculpture outside of American Eagle Headquarters in South Side Works

South Side Works

Hofbrauhaus

Mural on East Carson Street

Double Wide Grill - one of the many bars / restaurants in the South Side

Mural at Double Wide Grill

South Side Slopes

Mural on a tattoo parlor on East Carson Street

View of downtown from the 10th Street Bridge - western end of South Side

10th Street Bridge

A view down the 10th Street Bridge

View down the Monongahela River heading west - Liberty Bridge in the background

One Oxford Centre, PPG Place and Duquesne University from the 10th Street Bridge

Light trails along I-376

A boat passes under the Liberty Bridge

BNY Mellon and USX Tower

Street art on the 10th Street Bridge

Jack's Bar - a famous South Side establishment

Old advertisement

10th Street Bridge

Light trails at the end of the 10th Street Bridge

Street art - South Side Works

Saturday, September 27, 2014

Through the Eyes of our Founding Fathers - Vista of Steel - Mount Washington

George Washington and Chief Guyasuta meet atop a vista overlooking the eastern edge of the Ohio Territory at the forks of the Ohio River. A unique and often times tumultuous relationship between these two has led to the two surveying land seen to be of extreme value. The two leaders knew of the points importance but could only fathom of how grand it would look in the future. America was not even founded yet, but he land they surveyed would become a beacon of industry, and later a picturesque view of progress, resilience and ingenuity. Voted as the most beautiful urban vista in the United States, the mount's humble beginnings come from it's coal mining days. Along the banks of the Monongahela River, which roughly translates to "falling banks", the hill provided easy access to the Pittsburgh Coal Seam, giving it the name Coal Hill. European influences helped develop the inclines, funicular trains that rode up and down the hard to navigate hillside carrying passengers and freight. The hilltop neighborhoods began to expand and Coal Hill became Mount Washington. Innovation began to mold the hilltop as Chatham Village was created and then later the famous light up sign on the hillside. Chatham Village, inspired by the garden city movement was well ahead of its time and often imitated, successfully attempting to eliminate the negatives of urban sprawl and bringing greenspace and communities together. The sign that lights up with Bayer Pharmecuticals logo and asks random questions was placed their in the 1930's, at times mimicking the Hollywood sign. Now Grandview Avenue is lined with upscale restaurants, expensive homes and lookouts that give visitors the most unparalleled urban view in the country. The materials once mined and quarried from the hillside, visible across the river as towers of stone, steel and glass, while the cars of two inclines still climb the hill like they did over 100 years ago. Funicular cars counterbalance with one car going up as the other goes down, much like the perfect balance of history and progress that exists atop Mount Washington.

Visit the links below for more information:

Guyasuta and Washington: http://www.popularpittsburgh.com/pittsburgh-info/pittsburgh-history/washington-guyasuta.aspx

Duquesne Incline:http://www.duquesneincline.org/index.php?page=about-the-incline

Chatham Village: http://chathamvillage.coop/en/home/history.html