The Surprising Streets of Pittsburgh: Steep Roads, a Wooden Street, and More

As an old city, Pittsburgh has a diverse range of early streets, old paving styles, and more in regards to its street infrastructure.

Here you can see the crumbling concrete slab method of paving *wink, wink* followed by cobblestone paving. This is Canton Ave, the steepest officially recorded street in the continental United States. It looks like your average steep road in Pittsburgh. The hill is visually deceiving, for the steep part only lasts for about twenty feet before it levels back out. This lack of intimidation takes bicycling enthusiasts by surprise, often with a result of them crash landing. The city's annual Dirty Dozen bicycle race that goes through the city's steepest streets happens annually on the Saturday following Thanksgiving. This hill always takes racers by surprise with its extreme gradient. There seems to be a great argument throughout the world as to which place has the steepest street. All we know for sure is that this street is amongst the world's steepest. I've seen figures on gradient ranging from 30 to 37 percent. All we know is that this street is steep! Here is a commercial filmed by Audi that used the street for races between their automobile, a snowboarder, a skier, and a downhill mountain biker.

At 24 percent, Rialto Street is the fifth steepest road in the city. It leads up Troy Hill from Route 28. The view from the bottom makes this stairway lined street look endless. This hill is also known as "Pig Hill," for livestock was carried from the railroads up to slaughterhouses at the top of the hill. At about a quarter of a mile in length, Rialto Street is quite impressive.

More cobblestone paving! A common sight throughout the city.

Also common is brick paving.

And brick paving with fully intact old streetcar rails. This is the most visibly intact area of original tracks in the whole city. There is still some streetcar action with the T light rail that heads from Downtown to the South Hills, but this is the most visibly intact section of rail from the old Pittsburgh Railways days. I say visibly intact because the majority of the rails actually remain under generations of pavement throughout the entire city. Sometimes you see really bad potholes, and the old brick and rails temporarily see daylight once again. It is a shock that this section of Chestnut Street in the North Side is still intact after many decades of being idle.

In the middle of one of Pittsburgh's busiest streets, Forbes Avenue in Oakland, you can see the old brick paving at the bottom of a small pothole. 

You often see the old rails when workers have to do some digging in the road. I caught this scene on Semple Street in Oakland a few years ago. 

And the last road of its kind in Pittsburgh, a wooden block paved street!

Roslyn Place in Pittsburgh, right off of Ellsworth in the city's Shadyside neighborhood. is one of only a handful of remaining streets with Nicolson Wooden Block Pavement. Roslyn Place has wrongly been claimed to be the only remaining street of this type. Chicago, St. Louis, Cleveland, and Philadelphia have remaining examples of this nearly extinct type of paving. The blocks are treated with creosote and then placed into the pavement. 26,000 of these little blocks make up the length of this 250 foot street.

Another type of paving remains in spirit within the city and the region, plank roads, made with 8 foot long planks of wood. I say that this style remains in spirit due to the fact that no roads remain with this style paving, but some street names still reflect this, such as Butler Plank Road.

The varied old infrastructure in large cities is always impressive to see, and Pittsburgh is no exception to this. Old infrastructure surprises await seemingly at every corner. In the city with the second most bridges in the world, these places often get overlooked, but they are pretty cool in their own right.

Be sure to check out our Interesting Pennsylvania 2017 wall calendar, available through the drop down menu at the top of this page, or through this link. It is available on early-bird special for free with purchases of our book through the page, or individually for $9.99 plus shipping. 

Interesting Pennsylvania Calendar 2017: Available Now!

2018 Pennsylvania Calendar coming soon!

Today we are pleased to announce the release of our Interesting Pennsylvania Calendar 2017. This wall calendar features sights from many sites across the state, including views from the Pennsylvania Farm Show, Presque Isle State Park in Erie, Lincoln Caverns near Huntingdon, Gettysburg Battlefield, Elk Country in Benezette, Oil Creek and Titusville Railroad, Swigart Museum in Huntingdon, Downtown Bethlehem, Big Pocono State Park, Knoebels Amusement Park in Elysburg, Packsaddle Covered Bridge in Somerset County, and Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh.

Our 2017 Pennsylvania Calendar

This wall calendar is spiral bound and measures in at 17 x 22

Also available is our book "Great Pennsylvania Amusement Parks Road Trip" through the drop-down menu at the top of our page. Thank you for your continued support!

Erie Bayfront, Maritime Museum, US Brig Niagara, and More

This weekend, September 8th-11th, Tall Ships Erie will take place on the Erie's Bayfront. This year's celebration will be honor of the 25th anniversary of the rebuilding of the US Brig Niagara. You will be able to see these ships in action in Presque Isle Bay and out on Lake Erie for this awesome event. The rubber duck that created a huge sensation in Pittsburgh two years ago, and in Philly last year, will make an appearance for the festival as well. 

The US Brig Niagara is also known as the Flagship Niagara. The ship was named the flagship of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, for it is a great example of the ingenuity and resilience of our state to people both abroad in Canada, and stateside. The ship was one of nine small ships (six of which were built in Erie) that joined with three other ships to fight the British Navy and retook Detroit and helped turn the tide in the War of 1812. Oliver Hazard Perry commanded the fleet and is memorialized at nearby Presque Isle State Park.

The Niagara is available for sailing from the Erie Maritime Museum on the Bayfront in Erie. Rides during the event are sold out, but festivities will still be occurring along the shores, in addition to views afforded of these ships sailing throughout the Erie Bayfront and from Presque Isle State Park. 

You can also learn more about Lake Erie's nautical history from the naval battles of the War of 1812 to now at the museum. 

The marinas on the Bayfront are also a nice place to relax, with nice playground areas, eateries, accommodations, entertainment areas, and more. 

The Niagara is utilized as a sailing school ship, helping to pass along the old art of sailing.

On the Port Erie Bayfront, you can also climb 138 feet to the top of the Bicentennial Tower to get a bird's eye view of the action. Be sure to drop by Erie to check out the many different sites and sights along the waters of Presque Isle Bay and Lake Erie during the Tall Ships Erie Festival. The festivities can be best experienced in the Port Erie/Erie Bayfront area, but you will also get great views of the ship from the peninsula at Presque Isle State Park, easily one of our favorite places in the state. Even if you miss Tall Ships, this is an all around awesome place to visit at any time of the year.  

Our Lady of Angels, Lawrenceville, Pittsburgh, PA

I try to go to a different church each week, considering how many stunning structures are located throughout the city. I was particularly enamored by the beauty of the Our Lady of Angels Church. While this is technically considered to be in the Lawrenceville neighborhood, it is pretty much  on the edge of the Lawrenceville, Bloomfield, and Strip District neighborhoods of Pittsburgh. This is a terrific church.

Our Lady of Angels was formed as the merger of four different churches in an area of Pittsburgh that had lost heavy population. St. Augustine, Holy Family, St. John the Baptist, and St. Mary. The remaining church is St. Augustine's and it is particularly stunning. The origin of the church dates back to 1854, though the commonly mentioned age is 1863. This stunning building was designed by John Comes and completed in 1901. 

There is also a beautiful Lutheran facility across the street.

The Our Lady of Angels entry doors decorated for the Easter season.

The vaulted ceilings are spectacular, along with the rotunda.

This is definitely one of my favorite churches. Stunningly beautiful. 

Logan Falls, Allegheny National Forest, Marienville, PA, Forest County

Today we visit the beautiful Logan Falls in the Allegheny National Forest near Marienville, PA. It is located deep in the woods off of a small gravel road. The coordinates to the falls are 41.5883, -79.1581 and the hike is maybe a half a mile, tops, through some beautiful lichen covered boulders, beautiful woods, and habitats of wildlife. As I approached the falls, I spooked a white-tailed deer that hopped back into the woods after snagging a drink from the creek. This is a beautifully serene set of falls that is relatively untouched, lying pretty deep in the woods.

Logan Falls, Allegheny National Forest, Marienville, PA, Forest County

Beautiful lichen covered boulders

The first sight you see as you descend into the valley.

These falls are no more than 20 feet tall, but they are really beautiful. A great place to just sit and relax for a while. Very serene and deep in the middle of nowhere.

Gotta slow it down a little bit!

The tiers on this set of falls make this especially beautiful. The way this creek maneuvers through this rugged terrain make this set of falls very neat. The maneuvers of the other regional falls, including the spectacular Hector Run Falls, take unique pathways through the terrain as well.

I highly recommend visiting this stunning little set of waterfalls. There are a ton of points of natural interest that are located within a short distance of these falls, including the aforementioned Hector Run Falls, Pigeon Falls, Kinzua Dam and Allegheny Reservoir, Cook Forest, Kinzua Bridge and Elk Country, and more.

Coordinates: 41.4697, -78.9604

Buchanan State Forest, Ruffed Grouse, Old CCC Camp, & Scenic Drive, Sideling Hill, Lincoln Highway, Fulton County

I love taking relaxing drives on the Lincoln Highway. There are so many fun things to check out along the way, and it seems that each time we make the drive, we find something else that is spectacular. Once you get to the top of Sideling Hill, on the eastbound side of the road you will see a little picnic area. The picnic area would be an excellent place to stop with a picnic lunch. They even have a small playground area. While this is beautiful, the main beauty lies just a bit further down the road. The 69,000+ acres of Buchanan State Forest are within three counties, Fulton, Bedford, and Franklin. It is named after the fifteenth president, and the only to ever come from the state. 

These structures date back to the CCC in the 1930s. The entire area is heavily forested and tremendously beautiful. The CCC camp that did this work was closed in 1937, along with three other camps throughout Buchanan State Forest. Two of the camps were turned into picnic areas, and another was used for POWs in World War II, and another was reused as a place for conscientious objectors to World War II to do service for the country. They worked on a bunch of projects, including erosion control on what is now the Abandoned Turnpike. The longest tunnel ever built for the Turnpike, measuring in at over a mile long, runs underneath this spot. The Sideling Hill Tunnel sits in abandonment and in full darkness. It is a thrill to explore.

 

I am sure that this fire tower offers a killer lookout, but it is not open to the public. The scenery around it is beautiful enough to warrant driving up to it. 

This view is looking east towards lots of farmland in the valley and the next few mountain ranges. There are stunning views throughout the drive across Sideling Hill through the Buchanan State Forest. This road runs roughly 12 miles from the Lincoln Highway, atop Sideling Hill and through Buchanan State Forest. This drive is one of the most scenic in the state, and a rare road that travels along the top of a mountain for a long distance. There are numerous trails throughout this area, in addition to tons of wildlife. Very few people seem to go through this area, so you see tons of wildlife, and since the road travels along the top of the ridge, views are afforded when you look in either direction. 

 

Blurry, but you get the idea, DEER! We always love seeing wildlife.

A beautiful sunset. I believe this was in State Game Lands 65, just down the road.

There is a terrific view of the Narrows, where the blue Juniata River crosses through the Alleghenies and the Turnpike, Lincoln Highway/Route 30, and the original Forbes Road.

We even saw our state bird, the Ruffed Grouse! Spectacular and funny bird. 

We highly recommend taking a little detour off of the Lincoln Highway at Sideline Hill to drive across the ridge through the Buchanan State Forest. This is an absolutely beautiful drive with multiple awesome scenic vistas and hiking trails. 

It all starts at Bark Road and Route 30, at the top of Sideling Hill. One of the finest drives in the state.

13 Must-See PA Autumn Destinations

It is time to start planning some autumn adventures! We have visited places all across the state during autumn, and these are some of our favorites. Whether you open your door and look outside, or if you go to your local state park, you are sure to see some beauty. The following are just a few of our absolute favorite places to check out in autumn, thanks to their exceptional beauty. 

1) Fallingwater, Mill Run, PA, Fayette County

Fallingwater: One of the most famous houses in the world

This world renowned Frank Lloyd Wright architectural wonder is absolutely stunning to see in autumn. The stark beauty of Fallingwater and the falls that it was built over are highlighted with the spectacular colors of the fall trees. We highly recommend going on a tour of the grounds and the building. For more information on visiting, check out their website at www.fallingwater.org

2) Knoebels Amusement Resort, Elysburg, PA, Northumberland and Columbia County

Knoebels is always our favorite place to visit within the state. The fantastic coasters, classic rides, and overall atmosphere of the park are heightened by the crisp autumn air and vivid fall colors. The park, along with Columbia and Montour Counties, also holds a Covered Bridge Festival on October 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th where the local covered bridges are celebrated, including the ones located within the amusement park. The park also has Phoenix Phall Phunfest on October 8th as a kickoff to the Halloween season, with craft vendors, celebrations, a bonfire in their campground, and more.  This kicks off the park's Hallo-Fun Weekends, October 14-16, 21-23, and the 28th-30th. We highly recommend taking in America's largest free admission, traditional amusement park as a part of your fall activities. For more information about visiting the park, check out our article and also visit www.knoebels.com

3) Big Pocono State Park, Tannersville, PA, Monroe County

The view from Big Pocono State Park, at the top of Camelback Mountain Ski Area and Resort

There are a ton of fun sightseeing opportunities and activities going on in the Pocono region of the state. One of my favorite places to check out is Big Pocono State Park, high atop Camelback Mountain Ski Area and Resort. This overlook gives you a wide expanse of view over the Poconos, and to as far out as New Jersey and New York. There are also a ton of different activities to do at Camelback, including an alpine roller coaster, zip lining, and more. There are also a plethora of different places to see throughout the Poconos. 

4) Strasburg Railroad, Strasburg, PA, Lancaster County

One of the four pristine early 20th century steam locomotives of  the Strasburg Railroad.

Hard work ethic is what makes Pennsylvania what it is. At no place is this more evident in the state than riding through Amish Country on the Strasburg Railroad in the fall. Amish farmers are tending to harvesting the crops they have worked so hard to tend to throughout the year. Around the area, you will find freshly baked goods and harvested crops. 

The ride through Amish Country

The railroad itself is also the result of very hard work. The Strasburg Railroad is part of a collaborative effort to preserve a historic short line railroad and to fully restore equipment from the golden age of railroading. Thanks to these efforts, there is a fine fleet of pristine locomotives, passenger cars, cabooses, and more, that are restored with full accuracy to their original specifications. My parents brought me here when I was little and visiting the railroad brings about great family memories that I've held on to ever since. Going back, I appreciate more and more how amazing this railroad is. This is an awesome place to visit at any time of the year, but especially during the autumn months. For more information on visiting, check out www.strasburgrailroad.com

A pumpkin patch next to the railroad.

5) The Elk Rut, Various Locations around Benezette, PA, Elk County

If the call of the wild beckons, Elk Country in the PA Great Outdoors Region in Benezette, PA is where you want to go. Autumn is the time of the rut, when the Elk practice their mating rituals. You will see male suitors duke it out, grunt, stomp, and lock antlers and compete while their potential mate watches. It is a spectacular sight. Couple that with the fall colors, especially at the nearby Marion Brooks Reserve with its amazing grove of birches, and the rest of the attractions in the PA Great Outdoors Region, and you have a terrific place to go in the fall, in addition to the nearby Kinzua Bridge. This region is perfect. 

 6) Schenley Park, Pittsburgh, PA, Allegheny County

If you live in Pittsburgh, a great place to go spend a weeknight or afternoon is at Schenley Park. As one of our nation's largest urban wooded areas, you are bound to find beautiful colors at every corner of the park and throughout the CCC, Great Depression era, infrastructure throughout the park. 

 7) Route 40 Overlook, Hopwood, PA Fayette County

The Route 40 Overlook in Hopwood, deep in the Laurel Highlands and near Ohiopyle State Park, Fallingwater, and Laurel Caverns. This overlook looks over a deep crevasse and Uniontown. The colors are especially vivid at this spot, in addition to Ohiopyle State Park. 

 8) Wine Country, North East, PA, Erie County

Fresh grapes? Need I say more? Between the cool colors, the smell of harvested grapes lingering through the air, and the always awesome views of Lake Erie, North East, PA is an awesome place to sit and relax. Be sure to check out the dozens of wineries and vineyards up and down the shores of Lake Erie.

There is nothing like fresh grapes!

 9) Tunnelview Park, New Alexandria, PA, Westmoreland County

Tunnelview Park, Indiana County

Tunnelview Park is home to multiple generations of canal and rail history, with three transportation related tunnels, and accompanying bridges. This is a spectacular and often overlooked spot, deep in the Loyalhanna Gorge. Read more about this awesome place from this article about an autumn visit and one from a winter visit. 

 10) Mingo Creek Park, Finleyville, PA, Washington County

Mingo Creek Park in Washington County is a place that takes its covered bridges seriously. They have two beautiful covered bridges, including one that was moved and saved from demolition. The autumn colors are especially vibrant in this location. For more information on visiting, check out our article on this awesome place. 

 11) Renziehausen Park Rose Garden and Arboretum, McKeesport, PA, Allegheny County

The Renzie Park Rose Garden in McKeesport is the result of decades of hard work by community members through the Garden Club of McKeesport. The fall roses, coupled with the colors of the trees of the arboretum, make this an exceptional site to take in the sights of autumn.

  12) Nockamixon State Park, Near Quakertown, PA, Bucks County

There is nothing quite like the feeling of crisp autumn air when you are out on the water. Lake Nockamixon at Nockamixon State Park is an awesome place to go during the fall months for these reasons. Additionally, the leaves seem to get exceptionally colorful in this location. Horseback riding, hiking, boating, sail boating, and more await visitors to this awesome state park. Nearby, you can also check out the funky Ringing Rocks County Park, home to an exceptional geologic wonder. For more information on visiting, check out our article on Nockamixon. 

13) Right outside your door! 
Autumn is stunning in PA, so get outt there and appreciate it!

This list is far from all encompassing, but these are places you should plan to see at least once during the fall months. Have a great time!