A vintage-style illustration showing a massive flood engulfing downtown Pittsburgh during the St. Patrick’s Day Flood of 1936. Murky water surges through the streets, nearly submerging early 20th-century buildings and storefronts. People scramble to rooftops and upper windows while emergency responders navigate makeshift rafts. Bridges and steel infrastructure loom in the background under stormy skies.

The St. Patrick’s Day Flood of 1936: Pittsburgh Underwater

In March 1936, as Pittsburghers prepared for St. Patrick’s Day festivities, an unprecedented convergence of weather conditions unleashed one of the most devastating natural disasters in the city’s history—the St. Patrick’s Day Flood of 1936. Known locally as “The Great Flood,” it submerged entire neighborhoods, displaced thousands of residents, and fundamentally reshaped Pittsburgh’s approach to…

A picturesque, cinematic scene showcasing three of Pittsburgh’s most historic churches side by side: the grand Gothic spires of St. Paul Cathedral rising above a city skyline, the ornate façade of St. Anthony’s Chapel nestled in the Troy Hill neighborhood with hints of its vast relic collection inside, and the sandstone Gothic exterior of Trinity Cathedral downtown, surrounded by historic gravestones. The sky is bright with soft golden-hour lighting, illuminating the stained glass windows. The overall tone is warm, reverent, and timeless—celebrating Pittsburgh’s architectural and cultural heritage.

The Churches That Built Pittsburgh: A Look at the City’s Oldest and Most Beautiful Cathedrals

The Spiritual Backbone of Pittsburgh’s History Pittsburgh’s most beautiful churches rise above the city’s steel and glass skyline, their Gothic spires and grand cathedrals telling stories that span centuries. These historic churches in Pittsburgh showcase stunning architectural masterpieces—from soaring stone cathedrals with intricate stained glass to hidden chapels housing sacred relics. Each represents the faith,…

A photo of the interior of a historic bar in Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh’s Oldest Bars and the History Behind Them

Pittsburgh is a city built on tradition, and nothing embodies its history quite like its oldest bars. Long before craft beer and cocktail lounges took over, these watering holes served as gathering places for steelworkers, bootleggers, and politicians alike. Some have survived Prohibition, economic downturns, and shifting drinking trends, yet they remain standing as testaments to Pittsburgh’s resilience. Let’s take a look at the oldest bars in the Steel City and the rich history behind them.