Arthur M Fording

I'm on a small vacation this week, so I don't really have computer access. I had a short window of opportunity here, so I figured that I would share something that I always found fascinating.


There are many recollections of historical facts out there about the West End and Elliott, but this excerpt from Arthur M. Fording's - Recollections and Reminiscencesof West End -- Pittsburgh, PA

Apparently this reference book is catologued at the Carnegie Library-West End Branch. Here is a small piece of this story.


"Little settlements known by distinctive names comprised the West End Section, although never having a corporate existence.Thus we had Crotsburg, up near the Point Bridge. The territorial limits of Temperanceville commenced about where the West Side Belt Railroad crosses Steuben and South Main Streets up the Saw Mill Run Valley to the Old Stone Tavern On the Run, and about to Schmelz' Brewery on Steuben street and comprising part of the hillside on the westerly side of Steuben Street and also that part of the hill adjoining the old Noblestown Road and South Main Street.Reesville was on the easterly side of Saw Mill Run between old Bridge Street (later Park Way and now Plank Street) up the Run to where it is crossed by Independence Street on old Washington Pike.Tinkersville lay between the Old Stone Tavern and the site of the present brick works of James T. Fox.Shalerville lay beyond that to the foot of Mt. Washington."

Please read the entire article that you can find HERE. There are alot of interesting facts that you might find that you never knew about.

I will be without access again until Monday the 25th. See you Then.

Fashion Show in West End

ALL ABOUT YOUTH & CITY PAPER PRESENTLOCAL MOTION 2008
September 18, 2008

Local Motion is an annual Fashion Show featuring local designers, models and stylists. This year marks the 4th annual show and will be held at James Centre in the West End. Doors open at 7 p.m., show will start at 9 p.m. There will be a food and drink reception from 7-9 p.m. featuring some of the best Pittsburgh’s restaurants.

Local Shop Appears in Post-Gazette Article

In the 07/29/2008 issue of the Post-Gazette, there is a good story on second hand stores. With the economy the way it is today, it's not a bad idea to start taking a look at these places. There is a very nice little store located right in our own backyard on Wabash Street caddy-corner to the Carnegie Library. The store is called the Animal Advocates Thrift Shoppe. Here is what the Gazette had to say about it:

Animal Advocates Thrift Shop
35 Wabash St.West End
412-928-9837

Although not as quaint as Family Heirlooms, the Animal Advocates Thrift Shop is also a two-story house. The space is small, and maneuvering through the piles of toys and clothes is difficult. There are some recognizable brands such as Old Navy and Gap, but they are scarce.
Selection is small but the prices are low. The thrift store offers shoppers a brown bag bargain: They can purchase a bag for $3 and take home what fits in the bag.

You can read the entire article by clicking here.

According to the telephone voice mail , the store hours are listed below.

Tuesday 12:00-3:00
Thursday 1:00-3:30
Friday 12:30-3:30
Saturday 11:00-3:00
(website shows slightly different hours)

Please take a look at this site, http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/PA294.html, to learn more about Animal Advocates and how your purchases from the Thrift Shoppe go towards helping animals. you can also view the organization site HERE.

Ice Skating in the West End?

Check out this picture of Wabash park that I came across on the Pitt "Historic Pittsburgh Images" site. This picture was taken in 1917 and most of the area looks the same. At least that area was getting put to good use compared to the vast wasteland that it is now. When was the last time you saw anyone actually using that field?