boise

Boise

chicago

Chicago

denver

Denver

houston

Houston

lasvegas

Las Vegas

madison

Madison

philly

Philly

pittsburgh

Pittsburgh

portland

Portland

saltlake

Salt Lake

We make podcasts and newsletters that connect people with the cities they love.

City Cast Pittsburgh

People, places, and scenes from Pittsburgh's past.

It’s back to school season! Lots of famous faces once graced the halls of Pittsburgh-area high schools. Think you can guess who’s who?

Up top: Actress Ming-Na Wen from “Mulan” and “Agents of Shield” — Mt. Lebanon High School, class of 1981. 

Her family owns the Chinatown Inn restaurant in Downtown

Actor Jeff Goldblum from “Jurassic Park” and “The Fly” — West Mifflin North High School, class of 1970.

Actor Joe Manganiello from “Magic Mike” and “True Blood”— Mt. Lebanon High School, class of 1995.

Actor Michael Keaton from “Batman” to “Birdman” — Montour High School, class of 1969.

Shoutout to Odd Pittsburgh for researching 

these and more famous former Pittsburgh kiddos.

It’s back to school season! Can you recognize these native Pittsburgh celebrities from their high school photos?

Which Celebrities Graduated from High School in Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh History

On Aug. 20, 2001, the last episode of “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” aired on PBS. At 73, the pioneering children's television host 

“I’m just so proud of all of you who have grown up with us. And I know how tough it is some days to look with hope and confidence on the months and years ahead. But I would like to tell you what I often told you when you were much younger. I like you just the way you are. And what’s more, I’m so grateful to you for helping the children in your life to know that you’ll do everything you can to keep them safe and to help them express their feelings in ways that will bring healing in many different neighborhoods. It’s such a good feeling to know that we’re lifelong friends.”

After the final episode was recorded, Pittsburgh’s WQED studio was later renamed “The Fred Rogers Studio.”

🎧 Learn How Rogers’ Legacy Continues in Pittsburgh Today

On Aug. 20, 2001, the last episode of “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” aired on PBS. At 73, the pioneering children's television host said his goodbye to generations of viewers.

Remembering Mr. Rogers’ TV Goodbye

Driving through the Fort Pitt tunnel and watching the city’s golden bridge and bright skyline unfold in front of you isn’t just a magical Pittsburgh experience — it was essential to our city’s renaissance in the 1950s.

In August 1957, workers began drilling the 3,614-foot portals through Mount Washington, 

 It took three years and cost $17 million. In September 1960, the first car drove through with Mayor Joseph Barr and Gov. David L. Lawrence.

When the Pirates called up Willie Stargel in 1962, he said this about his first impression of Pittsburgh: "Last night, coming in from the airport, we came through the tunnel and the city opened up its arms and I felt at home."

The infrastructure and its design is dramatic and unique. On January 3, 1988, the New York Times published an article by Paul Goldberger who wrote "Pittsburgh is the only city in America with an entrance."

Its name obviously comes from Fort Pitt, the historic grounds where British forces built their fort between 1759 and 1761. But before I was even old enough to learn about the French and Indian War, I heard “Fort Pitt” in my family’s everyday vernacular. “That’s it, Fort Pitt!” means “that’s all” or “there you have it!” It actually comes from a 

Watching the city’s golden bridge and bright skyline unfold from the Fort Pitt Tunnel isn’t just a magical Pittsburgh experience — it was essential to our city’s renaissance in the 1950s.

How The Fort Pitt Tunnel Fueled Pittsburgh's Renaissance

On August 8, 1928, Westinghouse staged one of the earliest demonstrations of "motion pictures broadcast by radio" or "television" in its East Pittsburgh laboratories. The idea was carried out by Dr. Frank Conrad, assistant chief engineer at Westinghouse. KDKA was “the most consistent and reliable short-wave broadcaster on the air,” according to an article titled “

Radio ‘Movies’ From KDKA, Regular Programs On The Short Wave Promised.

“In the demonstration of August 8, the ‘radio movie’ signals traversed a distance of about four miles: two miles away and two miles over miles from the laboratory to the broadcast station proper, two miles away, and two miles back to the same laboratory by radio. They could just as well have been sent a greater distance, but the object was to show the operation of the whole system, both transmitter and receiver, to the assembled guests.”

On August 8, 1928, Westinghouse staged one of the earliest demonstrations of "motion pictures broadcast by radio" or "television" in its East Pittsburgh laboratories.

95 Years Since Westinghouse Made KDKA Radio ‘Movies’

 in Oakland began about this time 130 years ago. 

 officially dedicated the space two years later on Nov. 5, 1895. The behemoth building between Schenley Plaza and Forbes Avenue remains the city's most striking monument to Beaux Arts  — an academic architectural style taught at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. The space and surrounding grounds have transformed over the century, but its original charm and spirit of service continue today.

6 Unique Things You Can Do With a Library Card

Meta description: Construction for the Carnegie Public Library in Oakland, Andrew Carnegie’s original gift to the City of Pittsburgh, began about this time 130 years ago.

Celebrate 130 Years of the Carnegie Library in Oakland

Tomorrow is National Carousel Day — a celebration of the musical ride that has charmed both young and old for generations. In Pittsburgh, we have five: the Grand Carousel and Kenny's Karousel in KiddieLand at Kennywood, PNC Carousel in Schenley Park, the Merry-Go-Round in Idlewild & Soak Zone, and the carousel at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium.

 of Kennywood's old organ playing while going ‘round and ‘round under the dazzling lights on brightly colored horses — or maybe you were the lucky one who got the tiger! But did you know that the Grand Carousel was originally built for Philly? William Dentzel carved it for the Philadelphia Sesquicentennial Exposition in 1926, but it wasn’t ready for the event, so the park purchased it for $25,000.

The PNC Carousel in Schenley Park has a wider variety of animals, representing the diversity of Pittsburgh: a camel, giraffe, elephant, ostrich, seahorse, rabbit, and of course, a traditional horse. Celebrate by taking your little ones (or yourself) for a free ride tomorrow between

Tomorrow is National Carousel Day — a celebration of the musical ride that has charmed both the young and old for generations. In Pittsburgh, we have five. Here's how you can ride for free tomorrow.

Historic Pittsburgh Merry-Go-Rounds on National Carousel Day

Ride These Historic Pittsburgh Merry-Go-Rounds on National Carousel Day

The iconic red-and-white Iron City Beer sign atop Mt. Washington was taken down last week and replaced by a black-and-gold display that reads: “

IC Light. Cheer Pittsburgh. Drink Pittsburgh.

” (Maybe it’s because I’m a Pittsburgher and I naturally don’t like change, but I preferred the old one.)

The site was originally built in 1921, and Iron City Beer has a long history hanging its banner there. The previous Iron City Beer sign, erected in 2020, was based on the color scheme of the early 1950s design. Pittsburgh Brewing Company had that billboard spot from 1938 to the mid-1950s. Then, the large advertisement above the city, now operated by Lamar Advertising, was replaced with other brands like Alcoa, Bayer, and Sprint.

But did you know that back in 1938 — according to Pittsburgh Brewing Company — it was actually the “

”? It was 650-feet long, and each letter was more than 30-feet tall. The glow cascaded over the smoky city, and it even featured a clock and beer glasses that filled from the bottom.

What Do Yinz Think of the New Sign?

The iconic red-and-white Iron City Beer sign atop Mt. Washington was taken down last week and replaced by a black-and-gold display that reads: “IC Light. Cheer Pittsburgh. Drink Pittsburgh.” But did you know that back in 1938 — according to Pittsburgh Brewing Company — it was actually the “World’s Largest Neon Sign”?

History of Pittsburgh's Iron City Beer Sign

The Glowing History of Pittsburgh's Iron City Beer Sign

🍅 Twenty-three years ago, Heinz ketchup went from iconic red to what-in-the-world green.

The inventive ketchup hit stores in the Y2K packaged in an ergonomically-shaped “EZ Squirt'' plastic bottle to contrast with Heinz’s traditional glass bottles

 The Pittsburgh-based food company rolled out the new line with the 

“Blastin’ Green” flavor to coincide with the first “Shrek” movie

The zany colors, packaging, and movie marketing collaboration was a clear 

appeal to millennium kids and their parents' wallets

. In terms of sales, the rollout was, if I can pull out my primary school slang here, 

More than 25 million bottles were sold in the first three years.

 Heinz added the Funky Purple, Stellar Blue, Passion Pink, Awesome Orange, Totally Teal, and the 

I remember these bottles at the supermarket. All I could see were the 

 colors. But even though Heinz marketed it as the “same great Heinz taste,” I’m sure my mom was thinking, "Is this even tomato?" While 

 does list tomato concentrate as the first ingredient, there’s been a lot of 

 Do you remember these bottles? And, did it taste like the ketchup you grew up with? 

Delicious or disgusting?

Twenty-three years ago, Heinz ketchup went from iconic red to what-in-the-world green. Take a nostalgic trip back to the Y2K era that gave us Blastin Green, Funky Purple, Mystery Color, and more squirting ketchup flavors.

History of the Heinz 'EZ Squirt' Colorful Ketchups

The History of the Heinz 'EZ Squirt' Colorful Ketchups

Gearing up to travel for the holiday? Our city has a complicated claim to gas station fame. Many believe the first ever drive-in gas station was on Baum Boulevard in East Liberty, and there’s even a state historical marker at the site — which is now a parking lot. But the truth is a little more complex. Brian Butko, director of publications at the Heinz History Center, 

explains what’s fueling this local myth

There were other drive-in gas stations in town before Gulf got there — one was built six months earlier on Bigelow Boulevard, and the building is still there today.

So why does the Baum location get all of the credit? While other companies folded, Gulf grew to be a national conglomerate, and the story endured. Butko says that while it wasn’t actually the first, “it was still a special station, because it took all of the ideas that were swirling around at the time and packaged them into one convenient outlet.”

It had an overhanging roof in case it was raining, it opened restrooms to the public, it was open 24 hours a day, and it gave away free road maps.

“At the time, it was pretty revolutionary.” Butko says. “I liken it to how Edison didn’t invent the lightbulb; they were there 10 years beforehand, but he invented switches and plugs and a power station — a way to make it accessible to the public. And that’s what this Gulf station did. Maybe we can call it the ‘first architect-designed drive-in gas station?’”

🎧 We're Myth-Busting on the Podcast

Our city has a complicated claim to gas station fame. Many believe the first ever drive-in gas station was on Baum Boulevard in East Liberty.

Was the World’s 1st Gas Station Actually in Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh Gay News was the first LGBTQ+ publication in Pittsburgh

, it was led by Gay Alternatives Pittsburgh and published in May 1972 until September 1976 when it was sold to a Philadelphia publisher and became Gay News Pittsburgh Edition.

There have been many LGBTQ+ publications to 

, the most recent queer publication in Pittsburgh, is currently working on 

, a catalog of every issue of Pittsburgh Gay News (1973), Gay Life Pittsburgh (1977), and Pittsburgh's Out (1979 - 2012) in varying formats.

Going through and digitizing a collection like this takes a lot of work, so the folks at QBurgh are asking for support through a 

. If you can, contribute to the preservation of this often overlooked piece of Pittsburgh history 🏳️‍🌈