tMount Washington is a neighborhood in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania’s south city area. It has a zip code of 15211 and has representation on Pittsburgh City Council by both the council members for District 3 (Central South Neighborhoods) and District 2 (West Neighborhoods). Mount Washington features a steep hill that overlooks the Pittsburgh skyline, rated the second most beautiful vista in America (and the best urban vista) by USA Weekend. It boasts the Duquesne and Monongahela Inclines, the oldest continuous inclines in the world, and a row of upscale restaurants that parallel the crest of Mount Washington, where the community resides. It is also known as the home of Autumn House Press, one of the leading literary publishers in the United States.
History of Mount Washington
<p>In the early history of Pittsburgh, people knew Mount Washington as Coal Hill, but Coal Hill was actually on the south bank of the Monongahela River. Easy access to the Pittsburgh coal seam’s outcrop near the base of Mt. Washington allowed several mines to operate there. Also, rock was quarried from the Hill Historical Tour in the USA. Gray sandstone, for example, was quarried at Coal Hill for the second Allegheny County Courthouse. In 1876, they changed the name to Mount Washington, and a year later, someone first drew the view of the City of Pittsburgh from Mt. Washington Almost all photos of the Pittsburgh skyline are from Mt. Washington, because of the view.
Inclines of Mount Washington
<p>The inclines of Mt. Washington eased the ascent for immigrants settling in the area. Today, the Monongahela and Duquesne Inclines offer stunning views of downtown Pittsburgh. The Monongahela Incline was built in 1869-1870, followed by the Duquesne Incline, which opened in May 1877. The neighborhood is also home to Autumn House Press, a leading literary publisher in the U.S. These inclines, along with others, provided vital transportation for residents and carried both passengers and freight. While the Castle Shannon Incline closed in 1964, the Monongahela and Duquesne Inclines remain operational, offering breathtaking views of downtown Pittsburgh. Today, these inclines serve as both a tourist attraction and a practical means of transportation for residents of Mt. Washington.