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City Steps of Pittsburgh: A History & Guide
Exploring Pittsburgh's Ups and Downs
In Pittsburgh, the elevation varies wildly, fluctuating 660 feet from highest to lowest points throughout the area and making it one of the hilliest cities in the United States. Throughout this unruly and physically challenging landscape, the city's first mass transportation system was built - a steadily expanding network of public stairways, locally referred to as city steps, these flights of stairs are a throwback to a very different time in history and a very different Pittsburgh. Authors Laura Zurowski, Charles Succop and Matthew Jacob present the history of the Steel City steps and a walking guide to their scenic locations today.
In Pittsburgh, the elevation varies wildly, fluctuating 660 feet from highest to lowest points throughout the area and making it one of the hilliest cities in the United States. Throughout this unruly and physically challenging landscape, the city's first mass transportation system was built - a steadily expanding network of public stairways, locally referred to as city steps, these flights of stairs are a throwback to a very different time in history and a very different Pittsburgh. Authors Laura Zurowski, Charles Succop and Matthew Jacob present the history of the Steel City steps and a walking guide to their scenic locations today.
- GenresHistory
256 pages, Paperback
Published July 15, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 3, 2026
I read this for work because I will be interviewing all of the authors and creating a documentary about the history of Pittsburgh's steps.
This is a very thorough book that includes history, pictures, and walking directions to iconic steps. I never realized how much history is held within the city's steps. In this book, you learn why there are so many steps in Pittsburgh, why their locations were chosen, who used the steps, what they were made of, how repairs are done, and how they are preserved. In addition to all of this heavily researched information, the authors compiled walking tours that visit significant stairways in different parts of Pittsburgh, including Polish Hill, Spring Hill, Beechview, and more.
Truly, this book made me a little fascinated with the steps of Pittsburgh. What started as curiosity about how you could write a whole book on this topic quickly became a genuine interest of mine. I never looked at a set of stairs as anything more than a way to get where I was going. This book has since changed my perspective and sparked tons of new questions. When were these steps built? Who or what are these steps connecting? What historical locations surround them? Why is this one made of concrete? Why does this one have an art mosaic on it?
Overall, what I liked most was the history. I do wish this section had been longer because it was interesting to read about how immigrants lived through the rise of the Industrial Revolution, which led to the need for stairways to reach the hills where many of them lived. These hills provided housing within walking distance of the factories, but they were also high enough that much of the factory smoke didn't reach their homes.
I gave this book a 3, not because I think it was bad, but because I wouldn't recommend it to someone simply looking for a book recommendation. It's a very niche topic, but it's well written, thoroughly researched, and thoughtfully put together.
This is a very thorough book that includes history, pictures, and walking directions to iconic steps. I never realized how much history is held within the city's steps. In this book, you learn why there are so many steps in Pittsburgh, why their locations were chosen, who used the steps, what they were made of, how repairs are done, and how they are preserved. In addition to all of this heavily researched information, the authors compiled walking tours that visit significant stairways in different parts of Pittsburgh, including Polish Hill, Spring Hill, Beechview, and more.
Truly, this book made me a little fascinated with the steps of Pittsburgh. What started as curiosity about how you could write a whole book on this topic quickly became a genuine interest of mine. I never looked at a set of stairs as anything more than a way to get where I was going. This book has since changed my perspective and sparked tons of new questions. When were these steps built? Who or what are these steps connecting? What historical locations surround them? Why is this one made of concrete? Why does this one have an art mosaic on it?
Overall, what I liked most was the history. I do wish this section had been longer because it was interesting to read about how immigrants lived through the rise of the Industrial Revolution, which led to the need for stairways to reach the hills where many of them lived. These hills provided housing within walking distance of the factories, but they were also high enough that much of the factory smoke didn't reach their homes.
I gave this book a 3, not because I think it was bad, but because I wouldn't recommend it to someone simply looking for a book recommendation. It's a very niche topic, but it's well written, thoroughly researched, and thoughtfully put together.
November 27, 2024
Loved how this was written. I felt like I was going on an adventure every time I picked it up. Like the sections about Beechview & Beechwood because I take the T and can see many steps on my commute. I learned more about the city I’ve lived in most of my life!
December 2, 2025
A good follow-on to Bob Regan's "The Steps of Pittsburgh". This has more backgound on the history of the construction of the city steps and the rebuilding effort over the years. This book includes many good walking tours.
April 27, 2025
Fun and informative, I'm inspired to do some urban hiking and explore the steps!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews