Pittsburgh’s Role in Prohibition: Moonshine, Speakeasies, and Bootleggers
On a warm summer evening in 1919, throngs of Pittsburghers packed into saloons for what was billed as the “last call” before the dry law took effect . Strangely, the wild debauch many expected never materialized. “Everybody came to see everybody else get drunk,” the Pittsburgh Post observed the next day, “and nobody got drunk”…
The Haunted History of the Old Allegheny Jail and Western Penitentiary
Pittsburgh’s historic prisons are more than stone and steel – they’re storied landmarks where history and legend intertwine. Tales of daring escapes, infamous inmates, and restless spirits have long swirled around the Old Allegheny County Jail and the Western Penitentiary, two formidable institutions that once loomed over the Steel City’s justice system. In this journey…
Mobster Hideouts You Can Still Visit in Pittsburgh’s Strip District
Pittsburgh’s vibrant Strip District is beloved for its eclectic markets, trendy eateries, and bustling streets. However, beneath its colorful surface lies a fascinating, shadowy past marked by bootlegging, organized crime, and legendary mobsters. This intriguing underworld history dates back to Prohibition (1920–1933), a time when the federal ban on alcohol inadvertently fostered a thriving black…
Thunder, Snow, and Rising Waters: 10 Historic Storms That Shook Pittsburgh
Pittsburghers have seen it all when it comes to wild weather. Living at the confluence of three rivers and in the path of both northern blizzards and southern storm systems means the Steel City’s history is peppered with epic floods, legendary blizzards, howling winds, and even the occasional tornado. In true Pittsburgh fashion, each storm…
Notorious Pittsburgh: Gangsters and the Prohibition Era
During the Prohibition era, Pittsburgh transformed into one of America’s most notorious gangster towns. The Steel City’s roaring furnaces weren’t the only things blazing—gunfire from rival gangs battling for control of bootlegging operations echoed through the streets. Pittsburgh’s strategic position, expansive industrial workforce, and dense network of ethnic neighborhoods created a perfect environment for organized…
Fort Ligonier Days: The History Behind the Festival
Each October, the quiet town of Ligonier, Pennsylvania, bursts into life with Fort Ligonier Days — a three-day celebration of colonial heritage, regional pride, and the town’s pivotal role in American history. What began in 1958 as a modest local event has grown into one of the premier fall festivals in Pennsylvania, drawing tens of…