Slippin' Into The Past

 The past is all around us, the buildings in our neighborhoods and towns, the technology we hang onto, the faces we see in the mirror and the memories we hold in our in our thoughts. Some of these memories stick with us and others tend to drift into the deep, depths of our brain cells.

    During the past few months I have been copying the black and white negatives I had taken 30 or 40 years ago. This was during the midst of my darkroom days, photos taken with celluloid, light sensitive film. Pictures would be taken, the film developed and then hours spent in the darkroom trying to get that one, “special” picture.

    When moving into my present home, the darkroom and film developing was left behind. (The processes, not the equipment!) The age of the digital camera was rapidly taking over the photographic market. My developing started going to commercial companies rather than my basement.

(1985?)

    The Pittsburgh area had lots of camera stores in those days and when pictures were needed there a couple excellent places where enlargements could be made. It was amazing how many hours were saved by doing this! Never the less, I miss those days in the darkroom!

    While copying these negatives onto my computer, I was continuously being reminded of the places and adventures I had experienced. That and the people I shared them with. Most of these weren’t forgotten, they just hadn’t been thought of for decades. Seeing pictures of landscapes which have changed because of buildings being built or removed is reliving history. The cars are dated and signs reflect the times, they are showing us the past.

    Trips taken, places visited, experiences... Here are a few shots I’ve recently uncovered and re-remembered. Just a little bit of my own personal history!

Entrance to the Waterworks

(1984)

    The city of Pittsburgh had a water treatment plant where the Waterworks Mall is now located. There were acres and acres of underground filtration beds, unused because of more efficient means of purifying the city’s water. They were abandoned and used only for parties and visits by urban explorers. A parking lot now occupies the spot where this shot was taken.

The Civic Arena

(1986)

    Before the Civic Arena was torn down, it was a premium spot for concerts and sporting events. The arena was equipped with a domed roof which could be opened, allowing fresh air in. (and letting “smoky” air out) It was always exciting to see the roof open. In the background, the Veteran’s Bridge was still in the process of being built. The dark building in the center was once the Pennsylvania Railroad headquarters. During the 60's it had been scheduled to be demolished but the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation managed to stall the destruction of this building. It is presently the location of the Amtrak station with apartments above, called The Pennsylvanian.

5^th Ave, when people used to fill the streets

(1987)

      Pittsburgh is a major city and the sidewalks showed it. The storefronts were all occupied and when one closed, another took its place in no time. The buildings were filled with offices and the workers crowded the streets as their work days ended.

Early morning at DeLuca’s 

(1987)

    There were diners all around the city but some of the best were located in the Strip District. They didn’t cater to sightseers and tourists as much as to the working men and women of the city.

Pencil Vendor in NYC

(1989)

    On a trip to New York City I was amazed at the size of both the city itself and the population. My camera got a good workout as I explored the town.

The start of demolition at the Syria Mosque

(1991)

    Early in the morning, I took a ride into Oakland to watch workmen remove the 2 Lions from the entrance of the Syria Mosque. After they put the lions on a truck and drove them away, the bulldozer moved in and started with the roof covering the main entrance. I had my high school graduation ceremony there and spent many a night watching my favorite bands perform in it.

Amtrak and Circus trains at the Pgh. Station

(1992)

    Amtrak still stops at the Pittsburgh station but the circus trains are a thing of the past. I watched a couple parades where they marched the elephants up to the Civic Arena. The last year I saw it, they were trucked up from the RR station in the early morning. The excitement of the circus was waning.

Workers building a sculpture in Pittsburgh

(1986)

    I liked how the workers placing the cobble stones mirrored the sculpture mounted on the wall. The wall is what's left of an old building. This is pure Pittsburgh, always re-building itself!

    It's just a couple pictures, a quick journey into the "good old days". I shudder to think how many more pictures are “stored” in the attic. That will be in my future…exploring the past!