Archive for May 2nd, 2025
All downhill from here
Friday
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Every now and then, I’ll be driving somewhere and spot an interesting or oddball situation which I make note of for a future exploration on foot.
To wit, a recent diversion due to street construction forced me into driving down St. Patrick’s Street in the South Side Slopes, here in Pittsburgh, to get from ‘A’ to ‘B.’ While negotiating its steep grade and winding path, a mental note to walk this route was filed and ‘here we are.’
The housing stock you observe in this area is disturbingly heterogeneous. If you encounter two buildings that are from the same plan (as above), write that down and comment on their homogeneity. Part of this lack of a standard typology of design, of course, is due to the terrain and the unique opportunities and challenges of each parcel. Properties here, observably, can display a height differential of as much as twenty to thirty feet from one side of a lot to the other. Retaining walls, and other accommodating infrastructure to combat landslides and gravity, are everywhere you look. It’s wild.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
The landform here is part of Mount Washington, which is basically a tall ridge overlooking the Monongahela River. The other side of this prominence slopes away in a comparatively shallow fashion towards a region called the ‘South Hills,’ where HQ in the borough of Dormont can distantly be found. The roads here are narrow, too narrow in fact to require sidewalks for most of the downward course. Urban forest fills in the edges of, and areas between, the real estate parcels.
Speaking of, valuations seem to be all the place in this area, ranging from the mid $100 thousands all the way past the half million mark. There’s also open lots for sale, which is kind of interesting, given the recent popularity of Yurts.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
St. Patrick’s street itself offers a series of switchback curves on the downward path, and it eventually leads towards South 18th street. I’m certain, from the shape of the topology, that water flowed through the interchange area between them, probably still does beneath the asphalt. There’s a shallow angled set of steps which allows egress from one to the other, city infrastructure which I took advantage of.
My legs got the workout I was seeking.
Back next week with more from the south side of the Monongahela River, here in Pittsburgh – at this – your Newtown Pentacle.
“follow” me on Twitter- @newtownpentacle
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“In the Shadows at Newtown Creek,” an 88 page softcover 8.5×11 magazine format photo book by Mitch Waxman, is now on sale at blurb.com for $30.
The Newtown Pentacle 