September 19, 2025

The City of Pittsburgh’s story began in the neighborhood now officially called “Central Business District,” better known as “Dahntahn” or “The Golden Triangle.” Ringed by bridges, topped by skyscrapers, and full of landmarks, Downtown is also where our family worships (at Smithfield United Church of Christ), where Pippa goes to school (at Pittsburgh CAPA), and where discerning frozen treat lovers can find several good options for a cone.

With Liddy already downtown for the Eradicate Hate Global Summit at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center and Pippa finishing up a day at school, it was easy for Edmund to take the bus downtown to meet up at Millie’s. We got to try flavors from their new fall menu. Liddy and Pippa traded their Caramel Apple Dumpling and Pumpkin Pie cones back and forth, while Edmund stuck with the Caramel Apple Dumpling alone. Both were delicious!

Our walk through the Central Business District brought us past many historical markers, noting the establishment of the American Federation of Labor and the nation of Czechoslovakia, the good work of the Sisters of Mercy, and the site of the first nickelodeon movie theater. We could have chosen a dozen different fun facts, and wish this neighborhood would share with some more sparsely fun-facted neighborhoods elsewhere.

Fun Fact:
Arriving in what is now Central Business District in 1763, George Washington described it as “extremely well situated for a Fort; as it as absolute Command of both Rivers.” He was correct: the blockhouse at Fort Pitt still stands today as Pittsburgh’s oldest building.