Pittsburgh Post Gazette
Map of my studies and explorations up and down the seven sets of steps (including a rare set of wooden steps) in Lawrenceville, a neighborhood in Pittsburgh.
Spring 2008
Introduction text, set in Univers Condensed and Helvetica.
The full text is at the end of this page.
This quote is from The Steps of Pittsburgh by Bob Regan.
There are 204 treads on the 54th Street steps.
The map was originally displayed on a broken concrete step hauled in from the 56th Street steps.
Residents shared their thoughts and experiences about living in homes that are situated right on the steps.
Map measures 2' wide and 5' long
Introduction
Lawrenceville Steps, Pittsburgh
"The city of Pittsburgh has many of these: Steelers fans, cloudy days, pierogies, and steps. 712 sets of steps, in fact. The longest set has 378 treads, the shortest, just one tread. These outdoor steps traverse the hills that cover the city, providing generations of Pittsburgh residents a way to travel up and down the slopes. For some, it is the only way to get to their homes, which are situated in areas too steep for vehicles to approach. There have been instances when an unsuspecting motorists discovers that the street he intended to turn on to is not actually passable, due to the fact that 344 sets of steps appear on road maps as legal streets.
The steps were heavily used by steel mill workers during the mid 1900s to travel to work, but now that cars are more prevalent, the steps are not as heavily travelled as they once were. Today, travel by step is further restricted due to severe structural damage, which effects their closure in the name of public safety. Demanding budgets keep these in disrepair; nevertheless, there are still many steps open and used daily for exercise, travel, and even the occasional party.
This piece features a map of the steps in Lawrenceville, a large neighborhood east of Downtown, situated along the Allegheny River. The steps run almost perpendicular to the river, offering some scenic views from the top. A particularly interesting set of steps here are the wooden steps that connect Duncan Street to Kendall Street. Wooden steps are becoming scarce as they are all gradually being replaced by concrete ones.
Not many cities can boast that they have over 700 sets of steps. Dave Robins, a professor at the University of Pittsburgh, noted that these steps embody the commitment and care that the city has for its residents. The existence of these steps underlines the inherent value of community that people come to love about this city.
This map is an attempt to communicate my brief encounter with the Lawrenceville steps. In this time, I have discovered that it is not just the steps that have character and history; it is also in the people, some of whom I've had the pleasure of meeting, who use and care for them."
© Beverly Hsu 2009