However, this is our kind of town. So, off to McKeesport we went. We didn't have a plan, which is not our usual M.O. What we did have was a desire to just EXPLORE. And that is just what we did.
Upon arriving in town, we ended up taking a left towards the river and literally ended up right on the demolished site of the old Fort Pitt Casting Company. The Blue Sasquatch (1995 Pathfinder) was very pleased to roll up and down piles of sand and dirt. The site, though not what we had seen on Google images once we were there, was full of places and things to see. Lots of rusted, twisted steel, machinery, bolts, amazing stuff. The foundation spoke of long, loud, dirty days and nights of steel production. If only we had found this before the summer, we could have seen it in its ruined glory. A policeman we later met told us all about it, told us how easy it would have been for us to explore. JEALOUS!!! But what we did see offered a different view of the ruins.
Next we decided to go into the town and residential area. This is where we found this historic, beautiful, very deteriorated mansion on Colfax and Park. An officer rounded the bend, lots of questions and a nice smile later, he told us all about where else we should explore. This area we were in was not very safe. They had some shootings just not so long ago, so we finished up trying to capture what was once an opulent home. All around this corner showcased old, abandoned, partially standing homes. I could have stayed for an eternity, but with the idea of gunshots in the area, we thought it was time to venture on.
Our next stop was this old steel mill right on the river. Without a single hinderance to enter, we just roamed the site. There was no apparent easy entrance, and we had Little Miss with us, so we just walked the perimeter. We climbed stairs and even the rusted ladder to the steel casting tower. It was super fun, super cool, and quite an incredible site. Windows broken, views of steel basins, chairs, paint peeling filled our minds with wonder. Little Girl ran up and down loading docks, climbed giant rock platforms and found lots of relics that have been added to our collection.
We left there unable to think anything could beat the experience, but I think we were surprised with the next stop and how wonderful it was. We ventured to the Heritage Center, got a little sidelined by the Penn STate McKeesport campus and found the Nittany Lion and shrine. As third generation Penn Staters, Hubs and I are crazy for the blue and white. Little Girl was so excited to see the Lion up close. Lots of pictures, lots of squeals, lots of fun.
Then we found the Heritage Center. The woman there was so awesome. She told us all about the community, then and now. She showed us historic maps, artifacts and so much more. Highlights: the one room school house from 1832 (I think) that they covered to preserve. Awesome!!! And, we found all these old friends of my in laws in the yearbooks. The woman told us so me more things to visit, reinforced the places that we saw and was truly a delight to meet. We were off to see some more, but Manly Man's phone rang, worked called, duty calls, so we had to cut it short. But, on the way out of town, as we passed over the Duquesne Bridge, I said, "What an awesome day. WE have to come back." Hubs said, "For sure." Little girl's response,"It wasn't awesome." Pause... "It was INCREDIBLE!!!" It was. So much history. So many stories. I am so glad we went. There is so much more to McKeesport than I had ever imagined. So, McKeesport, this UrbEx Family shall return to your area wanting you to reveal more of your secrets and history. Be prepared!!!