Nostalgia: Remembering Pittsburgh Past
Recently Pittsburgh was listed by Forbes magazine as one of the best cities in the country in which to live. Having lived here most of my life, I could not agree more. I have watched this city evolve into a cosmopolitan region which has built up its support of the arts, emerged relatively well from the economics crisis, and has some of the best medical facilities and universities in the world. We have a young Mayor in Luke Ravenstahl, sometimes referred to as the “boy mayor,” but his vision for the city is youthful and daring in its expansion for the city’s future. He has a verve which I like. Still, I look back with some nostalgia at times and places in the city which have changed or gone by the wayside in a natural evolutionary process.
I grew up in Sharon Hill Manor, a suburb outside the city but going “into town” was a great adventure for us as children and young adults. People “dressed to the nines,” as they used to say. My mother, always in high heels and wearing gloves; my father always in a suit. Every Christmas it was tradition for us to go into town, have dinner in one of the best restaurants, then walk through the city admiring all the department store window displays, animated with moving santas and elves. It was magical!
My mother had decided that every young woman should attend charm school, learning the most proper etiquette, mannerisms and carriage. She enrolled me in a class in the city to be attended every Saturday, and I enlisted my friend Annie, who reluctantly agreed to do the same.
The first stop we made was the hallowed marble floors of the Jenkins Arcade, one of first indoor malls. It was filled with exclusive shops and one store which sold only buttons. Women sewed in those days. I never did, and still don’t. I always had a distaste for it, so I have learned where all the best tailors are located. But the show windows in the Jenkins Arcade of finery shops made our eyes glisten with dreams of shopping there…someday. Expensive luggage which we would purchase for our many travels; glassware and porcelain statues we would buy to decorate our homes; and furs to be lavishly draped around us when we became women. This was the stuff of which dreams were made.
Next we would walk to the KQV radio station on 7th Avenue, where DJ Chuck Brinkman did his rock ‘n roll show from a studio which faced the street in a large glass pane window. Teens crowded around to actually see the DJ we all listened to from our radios at home. For us he was a celebrity and we loved this vicarious treat.
After our charm school class, Annie and I would go back to the Jenkins Arcade and have lunch at Palmer’s Restaurant. We felt so grown up and full of charm as we ordered. Still, we were a couple of giggling teenage girls, sharing many stories and dreams during those luncheons. After lunch we would go to Joseph Horne’s posh department store and buy a new purse or sweater. Horne’s was lavish in its look. Crystal chandeliers glistened; women at the counters were beautifully dressed; and there was a sense of class above all else. It was our dream store.
All these places are gone now. Evolution is inevitable and mostly welcomed. No one can take away our memories though, and those days in the city are some of my fondest. Oh yes, about that charm. I still walk and sit like “a lady” but I have learned a few things along the way. My daughter, for example, whom I did not send to charm school, taught me the word “beoch.” She calls me this endearingly, the bitch! I should have sent her to charm school.
—cher
Imthefirst Imthefirst Wow – this must merit some kind of award. So you are a PRO charmer Cher – I should have known, obvious really. Bet you wish you could be natcherally charming ‘though like DrAwsom eh? Or Molly. Wow, all those buildings and things, and a song about it. My mum and dad would be proud of me for being so charming to a real American like you.
Thank you for dropping in and sorry not to post more often – or is this a bonus? ‘up to the nines’ was an expression that goes back to my early days in rural Devon. Take care and be happy.
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Dear Bob,
Yes, you are the first today! And I would bet no one could be quite as charming as DrAwsom or Molly! My Mum-in-law was from London, so I have picked up more than a few of her phrases as well. Good to hear from you; do take care (she curtsies here).
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I often think of my childhood and all the places I used to go to. The old used record stores, the comic book places, the five and dimes and the downtown mall. Of course I would never let my kids do any of that stuff today, but I also know they’re missing out.
I enjoyed your walk down memory lane. I’ve been to Pittsburgh once when I was 19 and it was one great weekend!
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One of The Guys,
You are right;I would be reluctant to send my children into the city these days too. It was such a different time then, safer somehow. Come back and visit sometime!
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Cher, you make life in Pittsburgh in another time sound so charming and memorable…….Yikes, are we both cringing at the use of the expression “another time”? We did grow up in a marvelous time.
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KAK,
Most of us, as we get further into life, realize that life was sweeter when….The innocence of youth should never be totally lost. If we retain some of that it keeps us from becoming jaded. Every life passage has its sweetness. Sometimes you just have to look a little harder to find it.
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BY THE WAY, An American Childhood is a great Pittsburgh memoir. I’ve only passed by the city once. It’s beautiful. One of my wife’s favorite cities.
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FreeRepublik,
Thanks for letting me know about the book. I will definitely look for it. Pittsburgh really has become a beautiful city. Your wife has good taste!
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Your mention of men in suits and women in heels and gloves reminds me of when we used to pick up my dad from the commuter train he took each day to Chicago. When the train would stop, a flood of men in dark suits, hats, and briefcases would spew from the doors like a bunch of extras in Mad Men. Of course the inside of those coaches were in a blue haze of cigarette smoke.
Whenever I revisit these places they are never quite as grand or special as they are in my memory, where they exist as if they were shot in perfect amber lighting and a soft-focus lens.
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Carpetbagger,
Your analogy to the series “Mad Men” was really good, though I’ve only caught one or two episodes. Loved the imagery of you meeting your dad at the train. You are such a good writer. I wonder if you realize that?
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Hi Conratulations! Your blog is great! keep up the good work! I’d like to get your feedback on mine.
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Jayathu,
Thank you for the kind remarks. I really enjoy your tech blog and left you a review. Happy blogging!
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I recently purchased some match books from Palmers resturant in the old Jenkins arcade…any idea what they would be worth
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Chris,
I would not take them to an antique dealer because they only pay 1/4 of the value. If I were you, I might place them on eBay or other on-line auction sites. Set the price you think they are worth, depending on how many you have, condition, and so on. You can put a price in so bidders must meet or exceed the price or they don’t get the item. Try one matchbook @ $10.00 plus s&h, and see what happens. The buyer may want more and you could negotiate after the sale or put more up. At least the bidding will give you an idea of what the market will bear. Nice find!
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