Many, many thanks Tim. I grew up in MT. Washington, Pittsburgh in the 1950's and 60's. We use to hike all around Saw Mill Run Blvd. Good times for the city. At that time, Saw Mill Run creek sadly was a cesspool. The water was whiteish with raw sewage and toilet paper flowing. Everyone called it "shit crick". It is probably crystal clear now. I love all your postings. Thanks again.
Thank you for another time Travel adventure into Pittsburghs unique history. I grew up in Pittsburgh's South Hills. I enjoy learning the history of places than now look so familiar. Great video and great research Tim....
I think The Boulevard of the Allies original had that name. What I want to see is some sort of recreation of the pylons that marked the ends of the Boulevard. There were originally 12, two at each end of Sawmill Run, Allegheny River, and Ohio River Boulevards. They had sculpture of the early transportation in the area, and if memory serves me, of the Sawmill. Most got removed due to road widening or trucks smashing into them. The one at the bottom of Warrington Ave. was still there till the late 80s or early 90s. That it had once back-lit signs as to your direction fascinated me as a kid.
I really love your videos. I grew up in Scott Township, off of Greentree Road. We used to go into town through the Liberty Tubes and across the Liberty Bridge. I remember how beautiful, shiny and new the Fort Pitt Tunnel was back then. The Liberty Tubes were scary!
Thanks for you hard work making your great videos. Grew up in the area and love seeing the history. On a side note the Keystone, Date stone and City crest stone from the original Fort Pitt bridge is hiding in Sheridan.
Engineers and construction workers were NOT fucking around in the 1920s, 1930s, They did DID the shit and in rather quick time, Even today this would be a massively impressive project!
Well, they didn't have to do environmental impact studies, and a big new piece of public infrastructure was expected to be beautiful, so spending money on decoration wasn't frowned on. Of course, when in doubt, overbuild, so things have lasted.
I was on Saw Mill Run Blvd just the other day (first time in over a year) and hadn't even realized that they took the old Wabash RR overpass out. It really opens up that entire section of roadway without that massive concrete eyesore there anymore
I kinda miss the overpass, I agree it was a bit dark and scary, but it had some art deco character and could have supported a better approach to the Wabash Tunnel.
At one point u are literally 1 min from my house. I live off the top of crane ave. I grew up playing in the cricket in seldom seen. That's something that might be interesting. The whole neighborhood that used to be beyond the tunnel that is tucked away from the old Wabash tresel. U can park at the salt dome and walk back along the crick. At least when I was a kid(30 yrs ago) there was still foundations from some of the houses peppers throughout the woods
Great video Tim. Brings up a question I've always had. Why didn't they line up the West End Bypass with the West End bridge when they were putting the bypass in instead of having to wait until what like 2008? Railroad wasn't cooperative?
I think that's what it was. A major line prob went thru there. Even after they built it they didn't connect it all for years. I remember coming off the bridge, being able to see thru the structure they build for us to use..but then would have to turn around it
Yeah, while they railroad was probably one reason, my guess is there was a multiplicity of factors including the various streets that converge there, the openings under the railroad that already existed, streetcar lines, the creek, the alignment of the bridge and more. And, just like the years leading up to building the bypass (and beyond if you look at Greentree Hill and the Parkway) it seems they never imagined the continued growth, planning only for what existed the time. Good question!!!
Hi Tim! Glad to see another great post from you. Thank you for your hard work. A historical journey of pride!
Thanks, Jean. I thought I'd never finish this one. Just when I was rolling in the middle of summer they decided to daylight that railroad bridge. Ugh!
Thank you for taking the time and effort to post these videos...
Many, many thanks Tim. I grew up in MT. Washington, Pittsburgh in the 1950's and 60's. We use to hike all around Saw Mill Run Blvd. Good times for the city. At that time, Saw Mill Run creek sadly was a cesspool. The water was whiteish with raw sewage and toilet paper flowing. Everyone called it "shit crick". It is probably crystal clear now. I love all your postings. Thanks again.
Thank you, Tim. I enjoy the history lesson from each of your videos.
Thank you for another time Travel adventure into Pittsburghs unique history. I grew up in Pittsburgh's South Hills. I enjoy learning the history of places than now look so familiar. Great video and great research Tim....
Am i the only one who wants Rt 837 to be called "Monongahela River boulevard". Seems our naming structure is incomplete without that nomenclature.
I think The Boulevard of the Allies original had that name.
What I want to see is some sort of recreation of the pylons that marked the ends of the Boulevard. There were originally 12, two at each end of Sawmill Run, Allegheny River, and Ohio River Boulevards. They had sculpture of the early transportation in the area, and if memory serves me, of the Sawmill. Most got removed due to road widening or trucks smashing into them. The one at the bottom of Warrington Ave. was still there till the late 80s or early 90s. That it had once back-lit signs as to your direction fascinated me as a kid.
I really love your videos. I grew up in Scott Township, off of Greentree Road. We used to go into town through the Liberty Tubes and across the Liberty Bridge. I remember how beautiful, shiny and new the Fort Pitt Tunnel was back then. The Liberty Tubes were scary!
Enjoyed the video as always! Thank you for making these!
was just thinking we haven't seen anything in a while and there it is..... love the match up photos as usual... looking forward to part 2.
Great video, thanks
Thanks for you hard work making your great videos. Grew up in the area and love seeing the history. On a side note the Keystone, Date stone and City crest stone from the original Fort Pitt bridge is hiding in Sheridan.
Sheraden is on my list of future videos!
Engineers and construction workers were NOT fucking around in the 1920s, 1930s, They did DID the shit and in rather quick time, Even today this would be a massively impressive project!
Well, they didn't have to do environmental impact studies, and a big new piece of public infrastructure was expected to be beautiful, so spending money on decoration wasn't frowned on. Of course, when in doubt, overbuild, so things have lasted.
I was on Saw Mill Run Blvd just the other day (first time in over a year) and hadn't even realized that they took the old Wabash RR overpass out. It really opens up that entire section of roadway without that massive concrete eyesore there anymore
I kinda miss the overpass, I agree it was a bit dark and scary, but it had some art deco character and could have supported a better approach to the Wabash Tunnel.
At one point u are literally 1 min from my house. I live off the top of crane ave. I grew up playing in the cricket in seldom seen. That's something that might be interesting. The whole neighborhood that used to be beyond the tunnel that is tucked away from the old Wabash tresel. U can park at the salt dome and walk back along the crick. At least when I was a kid(30 yrs ago) there was still foundations from some of the houses peppers throughout the woods
I wish I would have had some old pics of Seldom Seen!
Great video Tim. Brings up a question I've always had. Why didn't they line up the West End Bypass with the West End bridge when they were putting the bypass in instead of having to wait until what like 2008? Railroad wasn't cooperative?
I think that's what it was. A major line prob went thru there. Even after they built it they didn't connect it all for years. I remember coming off the bridge, being able to see thru the structure they build for us to use..but then would have to turn around it
Yeah, while they railroad was probably one reason, my guess is there was a multiplicity of factors including the various streets that converge there, the openings under the railroad that already existed, streetcar lines, the creek, the alignment of the bridge and more. And, just like the years leading up to building the bypass (and beyond if you look at Greentree Hill and the Parkway) it seems they never imagined the continued growth, planning only for what existed the time. Good question!!!