If someone is going to go to the trouble of designing and erecting a sign to point out this bridge,…read morethen I'm going to go to the trouble of reviewing it. So here we are. The Merchant Street Bridge is along the Fort Wayne Rail Line. It is owned by Norfolk Southern. The original bridge was constructed circa 1905 and consisted of two skewed steel spans supported by stone masonry abutments and one intermediate steel pier. The sign reads, "The original Merchant Street Bridge (1905-2023) was built to separate the Pennsylvania Railroad Main Line tracks from Merchant Street. At the time, both the railroad tracks were raised, and the roadway lowers, to provide enough space for cars and pedestrians under the bridge. The bridge was part of a comprehensive grade separation project in greater Pittsburgh known as the Allegheny Track Elevation." Yes, the bridge is crooked and at an angle. And it's unusually wide because in addition to carrying four main tracks, it carries two additional spur tracks that served local industries including the D.J. Clark Company candy factory and the nearby Federal Street passenger terminal. The bridge has a low clearance and it's clear that at least one person didn't know that until too late. [Review 20438 overall - 645 in Pennsylvania - 1418 of 2023.]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neill_Log_House The Neill…read more(Neal) Log House is a historic log cabin built in 1765 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is the oldest home in Pittsburgh (the Old Stone Inn and Fort Pitt Block House are not homes). The Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation designation - 1970. City of Pittsburgh Designated Historic Structure- 1977. - Schenley Park U.S. Historic District. The building was constructed around 1765 by the Neill (Neal) family, who owned 262 acres in what is now Schenley Park. John Neal came from Ireland around 1736 with wife Margaret and son William to Harrisburg Pa. They then had 7 more children - John, Robert, James, Margaret, Jean, Eleanor, and Agnes (Nancy). John and William purchased farm land in what is now Indiana County Pa. Robert bought the land in Pittsburgh and built the cabin and developed a Conestoga trade route from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia using his father's homestead in Harrisburg as one of the stopping points. May 8, 1915 Pittsburgh Bulletin- "A log house, once the fortified home of a rugged, full-bearded frontiersman, stands near Indian Springs in Schenley Park, and is now used as a rest house for Pittsburgh business men and stylishly dressed women who seek recreation during the summer months playing golf on the city links. This cabin was built in 1765 by Robert Neal, of thick hewn logs, the interstices being chinked with flat stones and clay as a protection against the attacks of Indians. It is one of the few pioneer cabins still standing in Western Pennsylvania in which the stone chimney is entirely within the walls and in which the loophole windows, originally about two feet long and less than a foot high, were not enlarged after danger from Indian attack had passed. This home stood close to Nemacolin's trail, later known as the "old Road", which lead from Philadelphia to Fort Pitt. Packhorse trains and heavy Conestoga wagons bearing supplies from the East passed it on their way to the log village of Pittsburgh. Several times it was besieged by Indians and bloody encounters have occurred about its log walls. Neal himself owned a Conestoga outfit and with Jack Andrews, a neighbor, made frequent trips to Philadelphia during which he was exposed to constant danger of attack by bands of Indians, for the capture of a heavily laden freight wagon yielded much booty. One midsummer evening a few years before the beginning of the Revolutionary War, Neal and Andrews had almost reached the cabin on a return trip from Philadelphia without adventure when suddenly just as they were starting down the hill at what is now Murray Avenue and Forbes street an Indian darted out of the bushes and hurled something at the team. The six horses plunged violently down the hill, frantic with fear and pain. The Indian had thrown a wasps' nest which struck the back of one of the horses and broke, liberating the insects which stung the horses and the driver viciously. Neal with 2 "tenderfoot" passengers from Philadelphia who were on the back of the big covered wagon were not stung but they narrowly escaped being thrown to the ground by the unexpected plunge of the horses, the passengers losing their rifles. A half dozen Indians followed the runaway horses down the hill, firing as they ran, apparently for the purpose of adding to the fright of the panic-stricken animals. The Indians were disappointed in the evident expectations that the wagon would overturn or be wrecked among the trees and be easy to capture. Although smarting from numerous stings, Andrews kept the plunging horses on the road. By the time they had crossed the bottom of the narrow ravine and started up the steep ascent leading into what is now Schenley Park where the Neal home stands, most of the wasps had been left behind, and the mad speed of the horses slackened during the steep climb. Furious at the failure of their scheme to cause a wreck, the Indians fired directly at the men on the wagon and wounded both the passengers. Neal returned the fire of the Indians and one of them dropped as if dead. The Indians became more cautious but continued firing from behind trees until they killed one of the horses and brought the wagon to a standstill close to the Neal home. Neal assisted the 2 passengers, who were wounded but slightly, into the cabin while Andrews cut the traces of one of the horses and galloped towards Fort Pitt for aid. The wounded men were of no assistance in defending the cabin but the walls were thick and Neal with the aid of his two sons, both under 16 years of age, kept the Indians away from the wagon by firing carefully through the loophole windows. Elizabeth Neal, the wife and mother, reloaded the rifles and kept watch to see that none of the Indians approached form the opposite side of the cabin. After an hour's siege the Indians withdrew, evidently fearing the arrival of soldiers from the fort. When Andrews returned with aid, no trace of the Indians could be found."

When Ambrose Newton built this log house in the 18th Century, he had no idea he was designing a…read morefuture storage shed. Nor had he any idea his house would eventually be in the middle of a golf course. But the Neill Log House is one of the oldest structures in Pittsburgh. It gets its name from its second owner, Robert Neill. It may have been built in the 1760s according to some records, but other records indicate circa 1787. Robert Neill later purchased the house. The house consists of massive wooden timbers infilled with mud. I wasn't able to find much on Robert Neill. The house was later sold to Col. James O'Hara and it later passed to his famous granddaughter, Mary Schenley. The house has served as a picnic pavillion, a storage shed, and a rest area for the golf course. I've seen this house many times from the golf course and I've always been fascinated by it. Today it is unused.

The log house is what was once considered a frontier dwelling. It was built somewhere between 1762…read moreand 1790 and it became listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. The Allegheny Land Trust purchased the property in 2020 and continue to ensure its preservation. Many of us are familiar with the area but if you aren't it is located near a little town called Rennerdale which is in the same area as Oakdale, McDonald, Bridgeville, etc. It sits in Collier Township. I would say it's worth visiting if you're the area. It's very close to the Pittsburgh Botanical Garden and would make for a fun additional stop. Unfortunately, unless the Land Trust is hosting a tour (they happen now and again), you'll only get to visit the exterior and the land. I think it's worth it if you're going to the Garden. It's quite the feat to have a piece of architecture stand the test of time for centuries as it has. I wonder what the Walker-Ewing family would think of that. I am sure they would be impressed and pleased.

Amazing historical log cabin with a treasure trove of historical photos, documents, and furniture…read moreon the inside. Now owned by the Allegheny Land Trust, this organization is truly to preserve and unify many parcels of natural green space. The fireplaces in this cabin are beautiful and massive. I especially like some of the artifacts, such as the antique spinning wheel, that reveal a different way of life.

The 7th street bridge connecting downtown to the North Side and to The Andy Warhol Museum…read more It's only proper that one of the greatest artists to ever live also have a bridge named after him. The bridge has a pedestrian walkway that makes it easy to get back and forth from downtown. In fact, when working downtown, this was one of my daily lunch walking routes. Thankful for my hometown and all that's come of it and from it. Warhol was a genius as is this and all of the bridges in our city.

Today I crossed The Andy Warhol Bridge to get to the museum on the other side! Nice yellow steel…read morebridge crossing da river in downtown Pittsburgh !

I am a huge Pirates fan, even when we might not be on top, I will still root for the Pirates. They…read moreare my team, as well as the city's. I appreciate that they kept this remnant to remind us that baseball leaves an impression. Oakland, kind of a weird place in the city to have a baseball stadium, but this is where some of the greats of the game passed through. One of the first of its kind for a stadium at the time it was built. Not only did it house the Pirates, but it also was the first home for the Steelers when they started in the NFL, and the playing field for the Pitt Panthers for a while. Alas, all good things must come to an end. In 1970 the Pirates left for Three Rivers Stadium, which they also left for PNC Park (which sits close to where Exposition Park was, the first home for baseball in Pittsburgh). So the Pirates made a circle in the city but left traces of where they were. It is rather peaceful here, a stark contrast of how it use to be. All that cheering from a crowd now down to a few cars driving by. I have no doubt that a lot of people pass by this and do not even realize this exists. Watch your PBS Rick Sebak shows and you'll know the whole story about this place and the yearly tradition that other reviewers have spoken to.

It's great to go back in time and relive some of the ghost of baseball. I also checked out the…read morecathedral of learning nearby. Awesome building. Reminded of Harry Potter.

This roadside historical marker in downtown Pittsburgh on the campus of Pitt remembers some…read morecontemporary history and reminds us how important sports are to the Pittsburgh community. It reads: The first all steel and concrete ballpark in the nation, Forbes Field was home to the Pirates, site of four World Series in 1909, 1925, 1927, & 1960 and two All-Star games. Hosted the Homestead Grays, Steelers, and Pitt Panthers, as well as political rallies and boxing matches. Site of Bill Mazeroski's game seven, ninth inning, World Series winning home run on October 13, 1960 and Babe Ruth's last 3 home runs. Damaged by fire; razed 1972.

This is a great out of the way piece of Baseball history. This can be found very easily and is…read moreworth the time to find it. The wall is just off of the street and home plate can be found in the building across the street in cased in the floor.

Depicted in one of the Vanka Murals in 1937, this iconic building arrived in 1932. At 582 feet and…read more44 stories, it was the tallest building building in Downtown Pittsburgh until 1970. Part of the fun are the lights at the top that give the weather forecast, but also celebrate major sports victories or holidays. It's a big part of the Pittsburgh traditions.

Did you know that this is the oldest building in Pittsburgh? Yep, it's true. It was built in 1764…read moreand it still stands today. It was designed to protect soldiers outside of the main fort & it's the only architecture left from the original fort. After that it had a couple of uses-a house and trading post. You can easily access the Blockhouse as it's in the same place it's always been, right at the entrance of Point State Park. It's never rebuilt. Open to the public for tours. If you're visiting Pittsburgh, it's a great piece of our history. If you live in Pittsburgh, don't take National Landmarks for granted, go visit.

--Location/Parking-- Located near downtown Pittsburgh near…read morethe Pitt tunnel. It is easy to miss underneath the bridge. I believe there is parking near the river, since I took public transit, I saw vehicles parked there, but I don't know how to get to the parking lots. --Ambience-- Outdoor fort, that was gated off for a private party. --Service/Staff-- Outdoor historic Fort --Products/Service-- No tour, free outdoor historic building. I wish there was some information on the Blockhouse --Capacity-- Outdoor venue where people are running. walking around the open park area. No capacity limit. --Overall-- Visit here if you are a history buff and see the museum next door. I wish they were connected in a tour.