Route 28 Murals ride

Nov 9 2014 14m

My first mission today was to scout the route for an upcoming Ghost Bike ride. This is where the collision occured. The ghost bike will go on the street sign on the left. Note the State Bike Route A marker on the right.

Went around the football stadium, which is very peaceful during "away" games.

I'm told the Steelers did not do well today.

On the other hand, the bicycling was lovely.

My next mission was to photograph the highway artwork being installed on Route 28. A friend (J-M) suggested there might be a window after completion and before the roadway is opened, and it was a pleasure to ride the bicycle on a closed lane of Route 28.

In a great Post-Gazette article, the most-excellent Jon Schmitz tells the story behind each of the panels, designed by artist Laurie Lundquest. The explanation of each mural given below comes directly from Mr. Schmitz' article.    (click here for even more info on the project)

This western-most mural is of the Pittsburgh, Allegheny and Manchester Traction Co., which operated streetcars in the corridor from the 1890s through 1920.

This panel highlights the Allegheny Institute and Mission Church / ​Avery College. Charles Avery founded the institute in 1849 as an educational facility for African-Americans and it is believed to have been a stop on the Underground Railroad.

A silhouette of Troy Hill with a canal boat in tow. The Pennsylvania Canal was built in the 1820s and was a key transportation feature in the state.

Thomas Carlin’s Foundry, which produced manhole covers and sewer inlets from 1860 to 1916, several of which are still in place in Pittsburgh. The foundry was known internationally for production of engines, boilers and other equipment.

The next mural shows the Josip Marohnic Bookstore, possibly the nation’s first Croatian book emporium. He was a leader in Pittsburgh’s Croatian community and helped to establish the St. Nicholas parish and raise money for the church.

This mural depicts the recently demolished St. Nicholas Church, site of the first Croatian national parish in the United States. The parish was established in 1894 and the church was built in 1901. The unused building was razed for the roadway. Note the building's cornerstone, still in its place.

Also saw this staircase going to up Troy Hill. If you were to climb it, you might notice a mural on an adjacent property.

Saw this commercial sign by artist Anthony Purcell.

Not a long ride, but a very nice day.