Esplen: Pittsburgh's ugliest hood.

[mrherodotus]

This small and narrow neighborhood is located along a narrow shelf halfway up an escarpment south of the Ohio River. West Carson St. is the main road, with buildings on one side, and a cliff on the other.


Unpretty!

[TheMeltyMan]

Neighbourhoods like this in Pittsburgh filled me with a sense of dread that led to me leaving the town. To the pittsburgh greenhorn, these environments can be quite disconcerning.

[ArchiCAD]

The 3rd last one doesn't look too bad.

[Evergrey]

Originally Posted by TheMeltyMan

Neighbourhoods like this in Pittsburgh filled me with a sense of dread that led to me leaving the town. To the pittsburgh greenhorn, these environments can be quite disconcerning.

Wimp.


Great thread, Hero... Esplen is the last neighborhood I expected to see on here besides maybe Fairywood. It is indeed a very crappy tiny out-of-the-way neighborhood. It seems to exist far away from the rest of the city... though I suppose it's rather close to McKees Rocks' business district. Those steeply pitched twin window thingies on the 3rd floor of many of the houses seems to be a distinctive Esplen architectural feature.

I thought this was rather interesting... from the Pittsburgh city website...

"This area was formed when a blasting crew working on railroad construction caused a landslide, and has been a part of Pittsburgh's legacy ever since. Esplen's all-purpose community center provides recreational facilities and events for its 600 residents."

I'm rather suprised Esplen has a community center... and 600 residents.


Here's a map of Esplen... located on the western fringe of the city along the Ohio River:

[mrherodotus]

Since I live in Sheraden, I drive past here every day. Fairywood is another small one. I just shot Sheraden and will be posting them soon.

[James Bond Agent 007]

I'm not so sure they're really "ugly," just boring.

[pj3000]

Yeah, a pretty crappy area of Pittsburgh altogether. But, the overcast skies and bare trees make the mood a bit more depressing.

I was surprised by the 600 figure too, Evergrey. I really have my doubts about that number.

[Robert Pence]

Pretty rough around the edges, but I've seen worse.

[ColDayMan]

Needs more Brunots Island!

[Great_Hizzy]

Originally Posted by ArchiCAD

The 3rd last one doesn't look too bad.

In fact, I agree overall. Not nearly as ugly as some might think. I've seen worse in quite a few other cities, and you're talking to a guy who isn't a big fan of Pittsburgh's residential architecture to begin with.

[dfane]

alot of Pittsburgh neighborhoods look like central Pa coal mine towns with the big shingled depressed houses and the hills and trees.

[Evergrey]

Here is an aerial photo of Esplen. Esplen is the slender area north of the word "Esplen" and the blue line... along the river. To the south and west is the Sheraden neighborhood, located on the hilltop above Esplen. To the north is the borough of McKees Rocks.

[-GR2NY-]

If thats the worst hood then I'd be the hardest G in the city if I lived there. Can't be.

[mrherodotus]

Originally Posted by -GR2NY-

If thats the worst hood then I'd be the hardest G in the city if I lived there. Can't be.

Never said it was a "bad" hood, just ugly. I just did a thread on the roughest hood, Homewood.

[Ex-Ithacan]

I like it. Where do they keep the still?