A Very Short History of Pittsburgh
WEBAug 25, 2008 — Geography comes first. Close upon the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers, one gets a sense of westward flowing waters, but a map of Western Pennsylvania shows the Allegheny flowing south and the Monongahela north, almost at right angles to the Ohio. A fourth river, the Potomac, comes into play by bringing the coast … A Very Short History of Pittsburgh Read More »
1972: Triumph and Tragedy for Pittsburgh Sports Fans
WEBThe new decade had started off well for Pittsburgh sports fans. In January 1970, the Steelers used the top pick in the NFL draft to select Terry Bradshaw, a strong-armed quarterback from Louisiana Tech. Drawing comparisons to the comic strip character Ozark Ike, he looked to have the talent to lead the Same-Old-Steelers, after decades of mediocrity and failure, to an NFL championship.
Bring Back the Paddlefish - Pittsburgh Quarterly
WEBMay 20, 2011 — A century ago, as work neared completion on the region’s locks and dams and Pittsburgh was producing half of the nation’s steel, paddlefish disappeared from the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers. A cousin to sturgeon and equally coveted for its roe, this curious-looking creature with the spatula-like snout used to thrive here—ranging great distances and … Bring Back the Paddlefish ...
The Story of the Marcellus Shale - Pittsburgh Quarterly
WEBNovember 20, 2009. For days, they had been rumbling up the rutted dirt track that led to the top of the rocky dome above the rolling fields of Washington County; a ’round-the-clock procession of big rigs carting up thousands of gallons of water. They’d drop their loads, turn around as best they could in the axle-deep mud that had taken over ...
Jared L. Cohon, Academician - Pittsburgh Quarterly
WEBMay 18, 2013 — Editor’s Note: On the occasion of the passing Saturday of Pittsburgh leader and former Carnegie Mellon University President Jared Cohon, we thought you would enjoy reading the story of his life in his own words. Cohon’s tenure at CMU was marked by dramatic expansion of the university’s global footprint and reputation and by a productive … Jared L. Cohon, Academician Read More »
LeoGreta, Il Burloni - Pittsburgh Quarterly
WEBFeb 25, 2020 — The Pittsburgh Quarterly Restaurant Review Board recognizes outstanding restaurants and chefs, publishing the top 20 annually in “The List.” Diverse board members are chosen for their interest and knowledge of food and fine dining. Each is anonymous, ensuring no special treatment during restaurant visits—but in the coming reviews, each has picked an icon from the … LeoGreta, Il Burloni ...
John Fetterman, Public Servant - Pittsburgh Quarterly
WEBMar 23, 2018 — I was born in Reading, Pa., on Aug. 15, 1969. My parents, Karl and Susan Fetterman, were both only 19 years old at the time, so I was an “unplanned event.” But my mom and dad did get married and, as I matured and came to understand the circumstances surrounding my birth, the knowledge helped … John Fetterman, Public Servant Read More »
La Prima Espresso - Pittsburgh Quarterly
WEBAug 20, 2013 — October 2, 1988, was a brisk Sunday in Pittsburgh’s Strip District—then more a collection of warehouses than a bustling foodies’ mecca—and Sam and Debbie Patti were hoping the naysayers had been wrong. With their 12-year-old daughter, Jamie, they sat bundled on a bench in the chilly storefront that had just become La Prima Espresso, the … La Prima Espresso Read More »
Where the Dead Go - Pittsburgh Quarterly
WEBJan 11, 2021 — Stroll through Pittsburgh’s historic Homewood Cemetery on a clement day, and it’s hard not to feel oneself shuffling off this mortal coil for a spell. The serenity of the rolling, tree-lined hills against the backdrop of Frick Park; the acres of carefully maintained plots featuring everything from angels to obelisks to massive granite mausoleums; the … Where the Dead Go Read More »
Keepers of the Flame - Pittsburgh Quarterly
WEBStanding in his new South Side studio, a patchwork of windows letting in the mid-day light, glass artist Drew Hine reaches for a map to illustrate his connection to the early days of Pittsburgh glassmaking, an industry that emerged 210 years ago from a red-hot amalgam of sand, ash, lime and coal. “It happened right … Keepers of the Flame Read More »