They say that whatever you’re born into becomes your norm. And I spent my childhood running, sledding, and roller skating on a brick street. During the school year, I walked from my family’s house on brick Adeline Avenue, down brick Hilf Street, passing the intersection of brick Birch Avenue, then up Castle Shannon Boulevard, which was then brick, to Washington School.
So nothing about brick streets seems odd to me. I assumed that every place has streets paved with yellow, red or brown brick. However, I’ve discovered they’re a special feature of Pittsburgh and, especially, Mt. Lebanon. When I have visitors from other areas of the country, they’re surprised and curious about our town’s brick streets. They’re so noisy, they say. And bumpy! Aren’t they slippery?
Well, yes, yes and yes.
On snowy days I remember my mother gunning the engine of our Ford station wagon as she rounded the corner from Castle Shannon and attempted to get up often-slippery and unplowed Hilf to our house, my sisters and I plastered to the back seat. Often we made it, but sometimes we slid slowly back down backwards, hoping not to hit a curb or parked car as we went. That’s how slippery brick streets can be.
Which made them great for sledding. Add a little snow to the slope of our street and you’d really pick up speed heading down the hill on those bricks. Not great for roller-skating though. Even if you could manage to stay on your feet over the bumpy surface, the unevenness made your teeth chatter.
And yes, they are surprisingly noisy. The hum of traffic is amplified on brick, making you aware of each car passing.
Brick streets also seem to be prone to settling, causing drivers to have to weave in and out to avoid the sinkholes. (I’m lookin’ at you, Crystal Drive.) Apparently this is due to poor drainage and harsh weather that erodes the base beneath the bricks.
But — the charm! The distinction that signifies Mt. Lebanon! Several years ago, a couple of our brick streets were paved over, and people objected. Many Lebo residents consider the streets as historic complements to the stately vintage homes that line them.
A report on brick streets adopted by the township in 2023 outlined evaluation procedures for brick streets in need of repair or replacement. At that time the Mt. Lebanon Historic Preservation Board strongly advocated for their preservation, if at all possible, citing a high level of public support for keeping them, as well as identifying them as part of the town’s heritage: “Mt. Lebanon’s brick streets … contributed strongly to its National Historic Register designation and are a key historic and aesthetic feature of our community.”
But repairing or replacing bricks that are between 60 and 100 years old is considerably more expensive than simply resurfacing with asphalt. Part of the report’s purpose was to gauge residents’ willingness to spend more to preserve these streets. The findings suggested that the interest was there, although locating replacement brick of similar quality to the original is proving to be a challenge.
So another of our town’s endearing quirks seems set to stick around. At least for a while there will be still be charming streets with bumpy surfaces that are a bit slippery in rain and snow. Most of all, I hope that there will be a little girl in the future whose sled picks up speed down Adeline Avenue as she slides towards Spruceton.