People & Personalities

Black-and-white 1920s scene of Prohibition agents prying open a cellar door during a raid on an illegal Pittsburgh speakeasy, with barrels of liquor and onlookers visible.

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”…

A nighttime view of the Old Allegheny County Jail’s towering gray stone walls and the iconic “Bridge of Sighs” arching over Ross Street. The fortress-like Romanesque structure looms under a cloudy sky, illuminated by streetlights that cast long shadows – an imposing reminder of Pittsburgh’s past where history and ghostly legends meet.

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…

Vintage view of Pittsburgh’s Strip District buildings and streets, historically known as mobster hideouts during Prohibition.

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…

A sepia-toned, oil painting-style illustration showing a dramatic 1920s Pittsburgh street scene during Prohibition. Gangsters in trench coats and fedoras stand near vintage cars outside a speakeasy, while law enforcement in the background conducts a raid. Smoke rises from a steel mill in the distance, blending the city’s industrial grit with its underworld past.

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…

A historical illustration of Andrew Carnegie standing before the towering Carnegie Library in Oakland, Pittsburgh, while the Edgar Thomson Steel Works burns bright in the background — capturing his dual legacy of industry and philanthropy.

Andrew Carnegie: The Man Who Built Pittsburgh and Gave It Away

Explore the incredible life of Andrew Carnegie — the immigrant who built Pittsburgh’s steel empire, became the richest man in America, and gave it all away.

A richly detailed illustration of Henry Heinz standing in front of the original Pittsburgh factory, with crates of Heinz Ketchup bottles ready for shipment,

Henry Heinz: Ketchup, Innovation, and the Birth of a Global Brand

Discover the incredible story of Henry Heinz — the Pittsburgh pioneer who turned ketchup into a global icon and revolutionized food safety, marketing, and American industry.

A rich, artistic illustration of August Wilson sitting at a typewriter, the Hill District skyline behind him, stage lights illuminating scenes from

August Wilson: Telling Pittsburgh’s Black Story to the World

Explore the life and legacy of August Wilson, the Pulitzer-winning playwright who brought Pittsburgh’s Hill District and the Black American experience to the global stage.

A dramatic vintage illustration of Ed and Jack Biddle breaking out of Allegheny County Jail, Katherine Soffel waiting with a horse-drawn sleigh in the snow, Pittsburgh’s skyline looming dark in the distance.

The Biddle Boys: Pittsburgh’s Most Notorious Outlaws

Discover the true story of the Biddle Boys — Pittsburgh’s most notorious outlaws, their daring jailbreak, and the love affair that shocked a city.

A detailed, dramatic illustration of George Westinghouse overseeing the Niagara Falls Power Project, with the falls roaring behind him and glowing electric lights illuminating a city skyline in the distance.

George Westinghouse: The Forgotten Genius Who Lit America

Discover the life of George Westinghouse — the brilliant Pittsburgh inventor and industrialist who revolutionized electricity, railroads, and worker rights, but remains history’s forgotten genius.

A moody, noir-style illustration depicting John Bazzano, Pittsburgh’s infamous Mafia don, standing in a dimly lit alley. He wears a fedora and long overcoat, with shadowy figures and 1930s-era cars in the background, evoking the dark underworld of organized crime during the Prohibition era.

John Bazzano: Pittsburgh’s Ruthless Mafia Don

In the annals of Pittsburgh’s dark and shadowy history, one name strikes a particularly ominous chord: John Bazzano. As the ruthless mafia don who ruled the Steel City’s underworld during the early 20th century, Bazzano orchestrated one of the bloodiest chapters of organized crime in Western Pennsylvania. His reign was defined by backroom deals, brutal…

A powerful, moody illustration of Henry Clay Frick standing atop Pittsburgh’s steel mills, smoke billowing behind him. His face half-lit, half-shadowed, symbolizing both his towering achievements and the dark legacy of labor strife.

The Life of Henry Clay Frick: Pittsburgh’s Most Controversial Tycoon

Explore the life of Henry Clay Frick — Pittsburgh’s most controversial industrialist whose empire shaped the city and left a legacy of wealth, art, and infamy.

A dramatic, vintage illustration of Martha Graham performing “Lamentation” in her iconic stretch fabric costume, with Pittsburgh’s skyline subtly reflected in the background — capturing both movement and emotional intensity.

Martha Graham: Pittsburgh’s Dance Pioneer Who Shaped Modern Dance

Explore the life and legacy of Martha Graham, the Pittsburgh-born pioneer who revolutionized modern dance and left an enduring impact on American culture.

An inspirational, vintage-style illustration of Roberto Clemente mid-swing in his Pirates uniform, with the Roberto Clemente Bridge and Pittsburgh skyline in the background. The golden tones of sunset highlight the city and Clemente’s iconic number 21.

Roberto Clemente: The Life, Legacy, and Pittsburgh Legend Who Transcended Baseball

Explore the inspiring life and legacy of Roberto Clemente — Pittsburgh Pirates legend, humanitarian, and cultural icon who transcended baseball.

A rich, nostalgic illustration of Fred Rogers sitting on his set, red trolley by his side, Daniel Tiger puppet in hand, with the Pittsburgh skyline glowing in the window behind him. Warm golden tones evoke kindness, familiarity, and timeless wisdom.

Fred Rogers and the Neighborhood Legacy He Left Behind

Discover how Fred Rogers and “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” filmed in Pittsburgh, left behind a powerful legacy of empathy, kindness, and emotional education that still resonates today.

A vintage illustration of Art Rooney Sr. standing outside Forbes Field in the 1930s, holding a football, with the Pittsburgh skyline and steel mills in the background. Include early Steelers players and the city’s bridges to emphasize the connection to Pittsburgh.

Art Rooney and the Founding of the Pittsburgh Steelers: Building a Football Dynasty from the Ground Up

Explore the inspiring story of Art Rooney and the founding of the Pittsburgh Steelers — from humble beginnings to building one of the NFL’s most iconic dynasties.

The Untold Stories of Pittsburgh’s Early Black Entrepreneurs

Explore the untold stories of Pittsburgh’s early Black entrepreneurs — from barbers and livery owners to media pioneers — and their lasting impact on the city’s history.

The Life and Legacy of Andrew Carnegie

Few names are as synonymous with American industry and philanthropy as Andrew Carnegie. Born into poverty in Scotland, Carnegie’s rise to become one of the wealthiest men in history is a tale of ambition, innovation, and ruthless business tactics. Yet, his legacy extends far beyond steel—Carnegie dedicated the latter part of his life to giving away his immense fortune, shaping education, libraries, and institutions that continue to impact the world today. This is the story of Andrew Carnegie’s journey, from an impoverished immigrant to a titan of industry and, ultimately, a champion of philanthropy.