Not the Pittsburgh

I’ve been meaning to put these images up forever. About a month or so ago I spent a weekend in Pittsburgh, PA and found it quite a nice place to be. From a church that was converted into a restaurant/microbrewery to a shopping center that once was a train station I found a lot of creative reuse of structures. Two things that I did take quite a few pictures of included the Duquesne Incline which brings you up and down a steep hill and the J.R. Weldin Company which is one of the oldest businesses in Pittsburgh.

In 1877 the Duquesne incline connected the Duquesne Heights and Mount Washington sections of the City of Pittsburgh. It’s been going up and down since then and is now a working museum staffed by volunteers. Even the cars that you ride in date from the opening. It’s a bit scary to think your life depends on the 140 year old equipment creaking around you. Still, it’s a fun ride and the view at the top of downtown Pittsburgh is incredible. For a small fee you can tour the equipment room where the ancient machinery continues to chug away. A large wheel in there still uses wooden teeth!

These last photos are of the J.R. Weldin Company which has been operating since 1852 in Pittsburgh. It’s a bit of an odd store since it carries stationery, art supplies, fountain pens, knitting stuff, leather goods and more. There are a few cats and a big dog around to help you with your purchase as well. A few of the menagerie deigned to pose for photos.