A black-and-white photograph of St. Anthony’s Chapel around 1900, showing its Gothic architecture, arched windows, and bell tower. People in period clothing gather outside after Mass, capturing the religious and community life of Troy Hill.

The History of Troy Hill

Neighborhoods & Communities

High atop a narrow plateau on Pittsburgh’s North Side, the neighborhood of Troy Hill has watched over the city’s rivers and industries for nearly two centuries. In the mid-1800s, one might have stood on this hill and heard the sounds of church bells mingling with the din of mills below, or even the squeals of…

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

Events & Turning Points, Industry & Innovation, People & Personalities

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…