“ Tomato Can” radio microphone presented to Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. C., Oct. 28, 1938. It is the actual instrument used in a 1920 election broadcast from KDKA-Pittsburgh, which is generally considered the first announced broadcast and the world’ s beginning of broadcasting.
Map of Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from George F. Cram’ s 1898 Universal Atlas.
PITTSBURGH WINTERS & RESILIENCE
February floods, snowstorms, and icy rivers played a role in shaping local engineering feats— especially the city’ s bridges, which were designed to survive extreme winter conditions.
North Side( formerly Allegheny City)
• In February 1907, Allegheny City officially became part of Pittsburgh after a long legal and political battle.
• Many of Allegheny’ s residents opposed the annexation, but winter court sessions finalized the merger, instantly reshaping the city of Pittsburgh.
Homestead
• Winters were brutal for steelworkers in Homestead.
• During the late 1800s and early 1900s, mills ran nonstop even in February’ s cold, with molten steel visible against frozen riverbanks— an image often described in local newspapers.
Lawrenceville
• February ice jams on the Allegheny River repeatedly threatened Lawrenceville in the 19th century.
• These winter floods influenced the neighborhood’ s early street elevations and warehouse construction.
Mount Washington
• Before the Duquesne and Monongahela inclines were electrified, February ice made hillside travel extremely dangerous.
• Winter accidents helped build support for safer incline technology in the late 1800s.
Millvale
• February floods along the Girty’ s Run watershed were especially destructive.
• Repeated winter flooding shaped Millvale’ s reputation as one of the region’ s most flood-prone boroughs.
Dormont & Beechview
• February streetcar reliability was crucial here.
• Snowy winters helped make these areas popular“ streetcar suburbs,” allowing residents to commute even in harsh weather.
MURRYSVILLE ❘ WINTER 2026 17