What’s in a name? Well, if it’s our Pittsburgh, then it’s an ‘h’. Of the many other Pittsburgs in the USA, including some 20 towns in New Hampshire, Maine, Illinois, Kansas, California, and Texas, all spell their name without the ending ‘h.’ ‘The Artist formerly Known as Prince’ wasn’t the only one whose name has caused confusion. While residents are well aware that the city
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Until the late 1700s, there weren’t many women living in Western Pennsylvania other than the Native Americans. During that time, this part of the New World was the frontier, and life was hard and dangerous. The first permanent settlement was established at the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers in 1758, after Fort Duquesne was captured and renamed Fort Pitt by the British. Other
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When immigrants came to the United States, it was common for them to harken back to their homeland and name the places where they settled after their native land. That’s why we have places called New England, New Mexico, New Jersey, New York, etc. Not only were regions and states named in such a manner, but there are also numerous towns, villages, and cities with
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As everyone knows, Christopher Columbus sailed from Spain in 1492 in search of a passage to India. Instead, he found the Americas. More than 500 years later we have a slightly different scenario: many Indians are leaving the subcontinent and discovering Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh area in the past has experienced waves of immigration; many came to the region seeking a better future in America than
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Copernicus, Chopin, Pope John Paul II: these are just a few of the myriad Polish notables who have left their marks on history. Although these Polish luminaries resided in Europe, when the Polish came to Pittsburgh, they did not leave their remarkable culture behind. The list of accomplishments by Americans of Polish ancestry is as long as some of the consonant-crammed surnames they bear. Witamy
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If you’ve lived in Pittsburgh for any length of time, you’ve probably met someone of Ukrainian descent. Or maybe you are Ukrainian yourself. For those who are not Ukrainian, you may not know much about this nationality group and the country from which they hail. This is not surprising since for centuries, Ukrainians have been valiantly trying to hold on to their country, independence, and
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We have much to offer its residents and visitors. Our cityscape rises majestically from the point of three rivers, impressive with its glittering towers and webbing of bridges. The downtown area is filled with restaurants, shops, hotels, and public parks. The old feel of an industrial city has almost vanished. Today Pittsburgh is not only a busy corporate center and leader in high-tech industries, but
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Congelier House is a monumental part of Pittsburgh’s haunted history. The terrifying story of what has been called “The Most Haunted House in America” would make one very dark and horrifying movie. Some parts of the legend seem to be larger than life. Is Congelier House really filled with the tormented spirits of all those who tragically lost their lives within its walls? The Legends Origins
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Dead Man’s Hollow lines the Youghiogheny River outside of McKeesport. It has a long list of myths and legends dating back to the 1800’s. The area is now a nature preserve that spans over 400 acres owned by the Allegheny Land Trust, but was once an important part of Pittsburgh’s industrial history. Back then, the area was known as the Flemming Station along the Pittsburgh
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Michael Blaha Flowers is one of the oldest flower shops in the Pittsburgh area, having existed for over 100 years. The building it resides in on Bridge Street has had an uninvited guest for just as long. When current owner David Kornely bought the shop in 1991, landlord Kevin Burke told it to him straight: “The place is haunted.” Not a believer at first, Kornely
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