Streetcar in the Snow

PCC car no. 1711, restored to Pittsburgh Railways red and cream, at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum. This car was active on Route 47 until a few years ago, when the PCC cars were finally retired.

Christmas in the Broderie

The Broderie at Phipps Conservatory decorated for Christmas.

Ducks in the Sunken Garden

The Sunken Garden at Phipps Conservatory during the Spring Flower Show.

Lilies

Easter lilies, symbolic of the resurrection, rendered in stained glass at the rear of a mausoleum in the Allegheny Cemetery.

Among the Angels

Two angels from the Allegheny Cemetery, where angels are understandably a popular theme in sculpture.

Romanesque in Phipps

A Romanesque capital in Phipps Conservatory, at the back of the palm house.

Manchester Romanesque

H. H. Richardson’s courthouse started a fad for “Richardsonian Romanesque” architecture in Pittsburgh, in private homes as well as in public buildings. Here’s a well-preserved corner house in Manchester.

More Glass at Phipps

More of Dale Chihuly’s glass whimsies at Phipps Conservatory. In the Tropical Forest, a few of the sculptures are filled with neon or argon and lit up like some sort of crazy radioactive dodder.

Finding Your Way in the West End

No one said it was going to be easy.

It’s Snowing Right Now

Snow falls on a row of houses typical of Pittsburgh streetcar neighborhoods of the early 20th century (in this case, Beechview, where the streetcars have been running on the street for more than a century). One of the distinctive features of Pittsburgh domestic architecture is the surprising variety of brick colors.