Help save history in your community by organizing special events that encourage people to take care of and be proud of the place where they live.

"It was neat to have The History Channel filming the scavenger hunt and Spotlight on Main Street event ." —student quote

"Spotlight on Main Street"

Carson Street Community Celebration

On Saturday, April 30, an estimated 300-plus people came by the South Side Market House to help “shine the spotlight” on South Side's historic East Carson Street. The community celebration, hosted by the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation as part of The History Channel's Save Our History program, focused public attention on the importance of main streets and the quality of life they support.

The Saturday Light Brigade (WRCT 88.3 FM), an award-winning radio program for children and families, broadcast live from the Market House, from 6:00 a.m. to Noon. Radio host Larry Berger interviewed people and recorded their memories and observations about the South Side. Visit Main Street Memories to hear sound bites from the conversations. The Westwood Elementary Chorus performed in the Market House and sang a special main street song. Meanwhile, kids built towers out of blocks, created a main street mural, and put together a Pittsburgh neighborhood puzzle. Stanley Zaidel displayed his impressive collection of poster boards containing news of South Side events over the years. Student artwork and main street note cards were also displayed.

At 10:00 a.m., participants set out on a Scavenger Hunt along East Carson Street. Among many other things, they discovered which bank had the first drive-up window in the Pittsburgh area; what the original name of the South Side flats was; and where a “green” store was located, "where white clouds always float in a blue sky." They identified architectural details and found griffins, Native American faces, lions, and a bull's head. The scavengers created quite a sensation on the street as they looked up, searched for clues, and admired building details. A grand prize was awarded to the scavenger hunt team that correctly answered the most questions—and all participants took part in a prize raffle.

Event sponsors included PNC Bank, Comcast, UPMC South Side, the South Side Chamber of Commerce, the South Side Local Development Company, the Brashear Association, the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (South Side branch), the Silver Eye Center for Photography, and the Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center. Local businesses donated free refreshments and discount coupons; Molly's Trolleys provided free trolley rides for all; and a balloon artist from Airheads Balloon Art entertained kids and adults.

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