In print

So some exciting news today.  The October issue of the Pittsburgh Magazine just came out with one of the feature articles being titled “Bizarre Pittsburgh” of which I provided seven of the photos for.  This is the second time that the Magazine has used my shots and the first for a full feature article.  They were thrilled with the shots (as was I) and it was really fun learning and shooting some of the bizarre/interesting places around the region.  Today’s post will go through the images that the magazine used, with more series to come in the next few weeks with some outtakes from the locations.

Click on any picture to view large in light box

 

The old Allegheny County Jail – Located in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh, the old building looks a little out of place against the tall buildings and modern designs, but even after 125 years it still stands firm.  It was in service until 1995 when the new jail was completed, and now serves as the Juvenile Court for the city.

 

 

Canton Avenue – Even though Guinness does recognize it has the steepest street in the world the 37 degree grade is enough to make any driver tentative.  This was one of the coolest places I shot, as I’ve never seen anything quite like it.  It’s just a one way street (up obviously), as downhill is treacherous even to walk.

 

 

Evans City Cemetery – For those of you who have see Night of the Living Dead directed by George Romero that you have seen this place before.  Located in Evans City, I hung around the cemetery for a couple hours to get all kinds of shots from different angles and different lighting.  The one above is of the old groundskeeper’s shed which was featured in the movie just as the sun was setting behind the trees.

 

 

 Shiloh Grill – Probably one of the best known haunted places in Pittsburgh, the story goes that Kate Soffel, whose husband was warden of the prison, helped the Biddle brothers escape from jail after having a lengthy affair with Ed Biddle.  She was allegedly shot and killed by her own husband after a chase on sleigh’s through western Pennsylvania, and rumor has it that Mrs. Soffel still haunts the home where they lived.  The staff at Shiloh were very open to me being there and provided me with their own accounts of the ghosts they have seen there.

 

 

Millvale Murals of Maxo Vanko – Located in old St. Nicholas Church in Millvale, the murals painted here by Maxo Vanko are rich with history.  I took the tour and learned a great deal (and of course took many pictures). 

 

 

Kecksburg UFO – On December 9, 1965 a strange sight appeared to many of the residents of Kecksburg, PA and to this day many residents still won’t talk about what they saw.  That doesn’t mean that they won’t put on display a replica of what they claim they saw the military cart out of town that very night.  Located behind the VFD up on a hill, the replica even is inscribed with the strange markings.

 

 

Blue Mist Road – This was by far the creepiest place that I visited for the article.  Located right outside of North Park, Blue Mist Road is home to a host of ghost stories, ranging from witches to gravestones that move to the eerie blue mist that supposedly hangs over the road if the atmosphere is just right.  While I didn’t capture any of these things, it was a little weird to be all alone, miles into the woods, with rusty old mail boxes and strange noises coming from anywhere.  I may have walked in, but it was jogging out.

 

Thanks for visiting today, I know that is was a long post, but I wanted to make sure to highlight all the shots.  See you all tomorrow.

P.S.  Click here to go to the online article.