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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After coming to Pittsburgh, many people fall in love with our city and never want to leave. This seems to be true even after death! You may not know it, but Pittsburgh is packed with poltergeists. In 2007, The Associated Press and Ipsos conducted a poll and found that one in three people believe in ghosts. Had they asked Pittsburghers, they might have been surprised
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Pittsburgh is known to Americans as the home of champion sports franchises, including the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Pittsburgh Pirates. Of course, in Pittsburgh world renowned sports teams are just the start. Innovative Pittsburghers have crafted everything from the steel for the Brooklyn Bridge to a famous sandwich that brings with it a true taste of Pittsburgh. Let us take a look at a
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When it comes to movies, Pittsburgh is no understudy. Since the early 1900s, the city has played a starring role in the film industry. Whether it’s movies about Pittsburgh or movies filmed in the area, Pittsburgh and the movies have a long and storied relationship. First Theater Dedicated to Movies: the Nickelodeon Although movies weren’t invented in Pittsburgh, the city boasts the first theater dedicated
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19th Century 1845: World’s first wire cable suspension aqueduct bridge was built in Pittsburgh over the Allegheny River at 11th Street. 1850s: On Seventh Avenue in Pittsburgh Samuel Kier established the Western Hemispheres first successful petroleum refinery. 1863: William Bullock, of Pittsburgh, received a patent for the first printing press to use roll paper. 1869: Pittsburgh’s George Westinghouse demonstrated the first practical air brake for railroads.
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Strange Pittsburgh Pittsburgh has its fair share of urban legends about different people, places, and events. Each legend has a few conflicting versions, but some are based on truth. Here we present some of the most famous local legends and uncover the truth behind them. Pittsburgh has a rich history and culture, but do you know about the strange side of the Steel City? Westinghouse
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With the rising popularity of zombies in American culture, many cities are fighting over the title of “Zombie Capital of the World”. There may be no settlement to this dispute, but it’s certain that Pittsburgh has strong roots in zombie pop culture history and remains an important part of what makes Pittsburgh unique. Originally, zombies in film were much different from the zombies of today.
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J&L Steel Mill, Southside Steel Mill (SouthSide Works) When you’re walking up through Two Shop You’ll know someone is around If you hear a sort of clanking And a hollow moaning sound. For the ghost of Jim Grabowski Who was killed in ’22 Must forever walk through Two Shop Which I will explain to you. Jim fell into a ladle, And they couldn’t find a
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Pittsburgh has a rich history and culture, but do you know about the strange side of the Steel City? Westinghouse Atom Smasher Forest Hills is home to the nation’s first Van de Graaf nuclear generator, but many know it as the Westinghouse Atom Smasher. It has stood in Forest Hills since 1937, but hasn’t been active since 1958. The structure stands five stories tall and
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Ford, Walmart, Hershey, Kohl’s: these large American corporations are household names. But that wasn’t always the case. Each of them started out as a small or family-owned business. Henry Ford founded The Ford Motor Company when he developed methods for manufacturing automobiles. Sam Walton had one small discount store when he went into business in 1962 in Arkansas. Milton Hershey began selling caramels before he
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