A Vertical City
Pittsburgh’s industrial expansion in the late nineteenth century attracted many immigrants newly arrived in the United States. As the city expanded, the industries remained close to the rivers but neighborhoods were spreading onto the hills overlooking Pittsburgh. Mount Washington, or Coal Hill as it was known then, and the hills along the Monongahela River saw rapid residential development but a lack of good roads and public transportation made commuting difficult.
Monongahela Incline 1905
The answer to this problem was the incline. Inclines, also known as funiculars, had been around for centuries and were primarily used to transport goods. They had already existed in Pittsburgh for several decades as coal transports and were owned by mining companies. German immigrants living in the south side suggested inclined cable cars as a form of public transportation. John Endres, a Prussian engineer along with his daughter Caroline and fellow immigrant engineer Samuel Deischer oversaw the construction of Pittsburgh’s first passenger incline. It was named the Monongahela Incline and it opened in May of 1870 and still exists to this day. Samuel Deischer later married Caroline Endres and with their sons began Samuel Deischer and Sons, an engineering firm. The company went on to build other inclines in the city including the Duquesne Incline, the other existing incline in Pittsburgh. Eventually Pittsburgh would have twenty two inclines all over the city to carry residents from their hilltop homes to work.
South Side 1888
Today there are only two inclines still in operation in Pittsburgh, the Duquesne Incline and the Monongahela Incline. The Monongahela Incline is the oldest of its kind in the United States, and still carries commuters to work. It is owned by the Port Authority of Allegheny County which manages the rest of Pittsburgh’s public transportation. The Duquesne Incline is privately owned and has been refurbished to show the original wood interior. An observation deck built next to the upper station overlooking the city is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Pittsburgh.
South Side 1888
Today there are only two inclines still in operation in Pittsburgh, the Duquesne Incline and the Monongahela Incline. The Monongahela Incline is the oldest of its kind in the United States, and still carries commuters to work. It is owned by the Port Authority of Allegheny County which manages the rest of Pittsburgh’s public transportation. The Duquesne Incline is privately owned and has been refurbished to show the original wood interior. An observation deck built next to the upper station overlooking the city is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Pittsburgh.
