The Newtown Pentacle

Thursday

– photo by Mitch Waxman

Back in McKees Rocks, a Borough of Allegheny County found directly across the Ohio River from Pittsburgh, today.

Last time that I scuttled about in this general area was a few months back, and it involved a walk over the gargantuan McKees Rocks bridge on the other side of the town. This time, I was in a different ‘corridor,’ and started my efforts nearby the Wind Gap Avenue Bridge.

Over the next few posts, you’ll follow the walk through a nearby industrial zone, see a waterway called Chartier’s Creek, there will be trains – and also – America’s most deadly wild animal.

– photo by Mitch Waxman

As a note – the Newtown Pentacle time warp is getting deeper and deeper. These shots are from June 15, and I’m writing this post on the morning of the 4th of July. If my scheduling is correct, you’re seeing this in mid-August. How’s the future? I wonder…

Anywho, it seems that what was likely the oldest building in the Pittsburgh area, a hotel which Washington actually did stay at, was demolished to make way for the modern (1985) version of the ‘Wind Gap Avenue Bridge – CC02.’

As is my habit, a shot of the plaque affixed to the structure can be accessed here.

– photo by Mitch Waxman

Also, entirely by accident, I started this walk at the exact location of the former ‘Mann’s Hotel,’ which is the one that hosted George Washington.

As it turns out, the intersection I was standing at used to be colloquially known as ‘The Five Points.’ Serendipity, lords and ladies, serendipity.

There’s a great YouTube channel called ‘Time Travel with Tim’ which showcases a lot of historical photos, and ‘tells the tale’ of the Wind Gap Avenue Bridge. I’ve learned a lot from this Tim fellow, I’d mention.

– photo by Mitch Waxman

Down under the Wind Gap Avenue Bridge, there’s Chartiers Creek.

This waterway has been popping up here a lot lately. Specifically, there have been a few recent posts about its course in nearby Bridgeville, discussing the consequences of abandoned coal mines regarding flowing water.

Chartiers Creek is a tributary of the Ohio River, flows from Washington County to the south in a north westerly direction towards McKees Rocks, and it carries a whole lot of solute that it picks up along the way. Yucky water, which gets a pretty decent amount of combined sewer input, but it’s still a living waterway. I see people fishing in it all the time.

– photo by Mitch Waxman

Given my recent proclivities towards walking in the wrong direction, multiple consultations with the little compass hanging off my camera bag were made. That church pictured above became my polestar for this part of the day, and it would aid my navigation.

I’m of the belief that this building is ‘St. Mary’s Church’ Archangel Gabriel Parish. It appears to be Roman Catholic in terms of religious focus, but when I don’t know something for sure… best not to presume. What it was for me was a landmark which I could walk towards and then away from.

– photo by Mitch Waxman

Down below, there’s a smallish industrial area on the flood plains surrounding Chartiers Creek. Corrugated steel walls for the structures, a set of rail tracks, unpaved roads. I hung around for a few minutes in case a train might be coming through, but it was dead quiet.

Onwards and upwards, or really across and down… your humble narrator leaned into the day’s scuttle. Come with?

Back tomorrow with more…

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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.