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Private tour in Pittsburgh Ronald K
Pittsburgh's History of Steel - Half Day Tour
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4 hours
1
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4 hours
1
Ronald K.
5.0
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2
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26 hrs
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I was born and raised in the Pittsburgh area and have lived here my entire life. I have witnessed this area thrive with the steel industry operating at its peak and watched its decline as steel mills closed. Since the decline of the steel industry, Pittsburgh has enjoyed a renaissance where high tech and medical industries have grown and now dominate the business landscape. Barren industrial properties along the riverfront have become biking and walking trails, residential neighborhoods, and shopping and commercial developments. I grew up in the steel town of McKeesport, located 15 miles southeast of Pittsburgh along the Monongahela River. Despite living here my entire life, I feel like I have become a tourist in my own hometown, for it has become a "new" city compared to the one I knew as a child. I studied at Carnegie Mellon University and received a B.S. in Chemistry. Then I studied at the University of Pittsburgh and received a Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Toxicology. As with most Pittsburghers, I am an avid sports fan always rooting for the Steelers, Penguins, and the Pirates. I also enjoy the arts scene in the city, especially the theatre tours that come through Pittsburgh. I continue to be a student of history, especially with regards to the evolution of the city. I am a proud Pittsburgher and look forward to meeting you so I can show off my town!
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Let's explore the Carrie Furnaces and former steel sites.
Overview of your Pittsburgh tour
On this tour, we'll visit emblematic sites that will help you understand the culture of the steel mill worker. Being a native Pittsburgher and growing up in the steel town of McKeesport, southeast of Pittsburgh along the Monongahela River, I lived the culture. Steel manufacturing was the dominant industry in the Pittsburgh area in the 20th century with US Steel (USX) as the leading manufacturer. Today however, USX only operates 3 steel mills in the region. We will be visiting the Carrie Blast Furnace, a National Historical Landmark Site that is a remnant of the historic Homestead Steel Works from the 19th century. Another National Historical Landmark we'll visit is the Bost Building. Built in 1892 as a hotel, it served as a watch tower for steel union officials following the events that pitted Carnegie Steel against the union workers. Now it offers exhibits on the region's industrial history and cultural heritage.
Your Pittsburgh tour itinerary
·After picking you up, we'll drive to the Carrie Furnace Historic Landmark to explore an example of steel making technology. ·Afterwards, we'll drive past Edgar Thompson Works in Braddock. ·Next, we'll drive to The Bost Building in Homestead. ·Later, we'll drive past some other locations of former steel properties, such as the former location of the USX Homestead works and Jones & Laughlin Steel. ·At last, we'll return to Pittsburgh.
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Transport details
Type: Private Transportation / Category: Suv
Volvo XC 90 SUV
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Meeting location
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Meeting point is either your lodging or a mutually agreed on place in Pittsburgh.
- You can request a different meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout process.
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4 hours
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4 hours
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If your tour is valued over $200 USD and booked at least 45 days before the tour date, you can book with a deposit!
How it works
- Your credit card will be authorized only for the deposit amount.
- Funds will not be withdrawn until your tour booking is fully processed.
- 30 days before your tour date, the remaining balance is automatically charged.