:55 Wide shot blue bridge

1:23 Zoom out on still b/w photo of downtown bridge

The Coraopolis Bridge is captured in the final moments before its demolition in 1994. The program opens with a look back at this thing "that's gone." Built in 1892, it was originally the first Sixth Street Bridge downtown. In 1902, a filmmaker working for Thomas Edison made a film, and clips of it are shown as the history of the bridge is discussed.

In 1927, the bridge was taken apart and rebuilt in Coraopolis.

Western PA History

Bridges and Buildings

3:40

B/W archival film footage of cars thru Liberty Tunnel

4:10 Pgh Incline ascending hill

7:52 Color shot of two red inclines side by side

8:53 Point of view of car driving up steep street

9:53 close up of finger pointing to map

11:00 Man in blue windbreaker walking up steep hill

11:40 Zoom out on b/w incline on curved track

12:55 Close-up of Cigars/Ice Cream sign

13:15 Zoom out from man behind green pole

14:00 Pan past b/w photo of incline to tracks leading downhill

15:13 Zoom past tunnel entrance to steep wooden stairs

Finished in the 1920's, these tunnels provided an alternative to going overMt. Washington, and created easier access to the South Hills.

Inclines have existed in Pgh since the late 19^th century, and Pittsburghers have relied on them to commute up and down the hills. The history of the Duquesne and Mon Inclines is revealed through current and archival footage, and residents of Duquesne Heights discuss the importance of inclines. They were instrumental in preserving the inclines over the decades.

The history of Pittsburgh's other, long-gone, inclines is explored. The Penn Incline operated in the Strip District from 1883 to 1953, and was probably the largest incline that ever existed anywhere. At one time, it was even the route to a casino called the Penn Incline Resort!

Rialto Street, on the north shore, is rumored to be an old incline site, but that's a Pittsburgh myth. Mike Eversmyer is a historic planner for the city of Pgh, recalls other inclines that are gone, including the Troy Hill Incline. He explains how the incline impacted residents commuting to their workplaces.

North Side was also the site of the Clifton Incline, which is now simply an overgrown wooded area. Eversmyer explains the history of the company who built the incline and housing at the top of the hill.

The former Nunnery Hill Incline existed on the North Side, up Federal Street to the Fineview neighborhood. This was the first of the two inclines in Pittsburgh that had a curve in the track's route, but it was gone by the turn of the century.

The Knoxville Incline on the South Side also had a curve in the track. The huge cars were large enough to carry cars or heavy freight, and had the longest track of any Pgh incline ever. Longtime residents of the South Side recall the Knoxville Incline.

Mable Meyers' Confectionary is right next door to the old Knoxville Incline base. The store still sells penny candy — although it hasn't sold incline tickets since 1960!

Prentice Orr owns an advertising agency, but the building once was a beer garden — which used to service the clientele waiting for the incline.

Another smaller passenger incline on the South Side was the Mt. Oliver Incline. A local resident recalls the site in the days when the incline was operating. July 7, 1951, was the final ride of the Mt. Oliver incline, shown in archival photos.

Evidence of the Ft. Pitt incline still stands by the Armstrong Tunnel. It used to lead to Duquesne University. Another incline, shown in archival footage, existed in Beaver Falls. Archival photos are shown of the Castle Shannon incline, which was the last of the Pgh inclines large enough to carry automobiles. It went out of business in 1964.

Western PA History, Urban development

Rivers and Valleys: topography, transportation

Creating Community: Local Business

18:40 Archival tinted photo of people posed in front of train

19:37 Archival b/w movie film of cowboys riding on horseback

20:12 Pan b/w photo of people on train

Olympia Park, in McKeesport, is an example of an old trolley park (like Kennywood Park). Built around the turn of the century, it was a natural park with lake, pavilions, and a sports field. It flourished until around 1942.

In 1905, filmmaker Edwin S. Porter came to town to make a local version of the famous movie "The Great Train Robbery." Called "The Juvenile," it was meant to attract a youth audience, and features many sites in Olympia Park.

Peg Brinsa, of Elizabeth Twp., recalls many good times at Olympia Park, and shares photos from the 1930's. Olympia's history as a site of picnics and amusement rides is explored — although today the site is home to a shopping mall.

Western PA History

Rivers and Valleys: transportation and trolley parks' affect on urban planning

The Arts: early film production

Western PA History

Western PA History

25:34 Tilt down from blue sky to drive-in theater screen

27:13 Modern large drive-in sign

28:20 Pan b/w "Drive-in Theater" sign with screen in far background

29:18 Pan night sky to drive-in screen with message running

On Rt 30, the Blue Dell Drive-in screen still exists — but in its glory days, it had a pool and diner as well. Archival footage shows the Blue Dell complex, and the owner of the complex recalls old times.

The Warner family, owners of the Blue Dell complex, also owns the Greater Pittsburgh Drive-in, a 5-screen complex that continues to operate in the summer months. Members of the family recall their early days in the mining industry, but switched to the drive-in theater business, and ultimately built and operated seven area drive-ins.

The old South Park Drive-in was the first in the Pgh area. Built in 1939, it closed in 1985.

The Warners produced custom commercials for their drive-ins. Some of them are viewed in this segment. Popular drive-in movie types, such as the horror film, are explored and recalled by the Warner family members.

Western PA History

Creating Community

Having Fun: Entertainment, drive-in theaters

32:39 Archival color footage of kids on playground

Creating Community

Creating Community

42:33 Low angle shot of tall red-brick building with many windows

The downtown Chamber of Commerce Bldg on Seventh Avenue was the old home to KQV Radio. In 1994, KQV moved across the street, but this segment uses audio clips and film footage to recall the popular radio bits — and the radio personalities-- from the "old days."

Bridges and Buildings

50:03 Pan ext. of small town to people eating in restaurant through window

The Pittsburgh Deli Company, in Shadyside, opened in 1993. Workers there recall another old deli, the Gazebo. Owned by Dick Handler, he and his wife Anne talk about the Gazebo's popularity. Archival video shows the interior décor and famous menu items. The restaurant closed in 1988.

Having Fun: Sports entertainment

59:46 1920's vintage film of a bi-plane

1:01:11 Pan past a selection of photos scattered on table

1:02:23 Pan past drawing of new airport.

1:03:12 White "Warning" sign

1:04:10 Pan wide shot of airplane repair workshop, people turning blue plane wing

1:06:30 Pan old Greater Pgh Intn'l Airport exterior

1:09:20 Man in white shirt and tie walks down hallway past US Air sign

1:10:06 Still color photo of people in ballroom

1:11:29 Woman in floral-print dress inside airport

Rogers Field was Pittsburgh's first municipal airport. It was named for a Pittsburgh aviator, who was the first person to fly coast to coast across the USA. Rogers Field is recalled through vintage photos, and other area airports are pointed out on the map.

Elmer Best is an aviation buff that lives in West Mifflin. He recalls watching the first planes coming to Bettis Airport in 1919. The history of "barnstormers" is revealed through clips and Best's recollections.

In 1925, the Pgh McKeesport airport was built, although it was renamed Bettis Field in 1926. Charles Lindberg landed there several times, along with many of the country's other great early aviators.

Bettis Field is now the site of the Westinghouse Atomic Power Plant — but archival film footage shows early days of Bettis. When the Allegheny County Airport opened in 1932, it replaced Bettis and Rogers as the primary airport serving the region.

In early 1990's, aviation technician students work on the restoration of an old bi-plane known as "Miss Pittsburgh." Student Eric Hoffman talks about the condition of the Walko-9 model plane pre-restoration. In the late 1920's, this plane delivered air mail to the Pgh region, and aviation buffs discuss the evolution of commercial aviation in Pgh.

George Gamrod, who used to work at the old airport since its beginning, gives a tour of the bldg's interior. Archival footage shows the airport at its opening in 1952 — when it held the distinction of being the largest air terminal in the world at the time.

Capt. Frank Matee recalls flying into the airport the very first day that it opened.

Wally Bowl works for US Air, and he tours the inside of the old airport, recalling his favorite locations — including the site where he met his future wife!

The Horizon Room, a nightclub that featured entertainment, was on the second floor of the old airport. A former US Air pilot shares the Horizon Room's old photos, which reveal many historic shots of the airport's shops.

Western PA History

Rivers and Valleys: Aviation

Creating Community