Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-07-21
RIVALING THE OCEAN
Ingenious Scheme Suggested to
Chief Brown to Make Pittsburg
A POPULAR WATERING PLACE.
Part of the Monongahela Wharf to Be
TransformedsInto q
BATHING BEACH OF THE LATEST STYLE

The soft slumbers of Chief Brown, of the
Department of Public Safety, are idealized
by the wondrous vision of a rival to the
beach at Atlantic City, located on the river
front in the heart of Pittsburg. In his
minds eye he sees Western Pennsylvania
Dryads and Naiads disporting in the pellu-
cid waters of the Monongahela, and sitting
in lovirg couples on the green sward OF the
river bank. He hears dimly the strains OF
brass bands playing "Annie Rooney" the
air of "Down went McGinty" being barred
as too unpleasantly suggestive. Echoes
reach him of the cries of the baked clam
purveyor, the soft coaxing of the unshorn
drummer for the tintype artist, who guaran-
tees ga k'rect likeness in two minutes; four
for a quarter" and the countless sounds
that form the greatest fascination of we'll
appointed and popular beach.
The evolution of a great city was never
better or more rapidly exemplifed than in
the case of Pittsburg. A few years ago it
was known as a place of toll and dirt; with
the discovery and general use of natural gas
it became noted for its wealth and cleanli-
ness, and it has also won deserved reputa-
ton as favored abode of art and culture.
THE ONE THING LACKING.
Pittsburg lacks but one thing to make it
the most perfect city in the world, and that
is better arrangements for popular enjoy
ment To this end Chiefs Bigelow and
Brown are working hard, and their efforts
are being crowned with success.
Yesterday the attention of Chief Brown
was called to the poor uses to which the
river fropts of Pittsburg are put especially
along the Monongahela. He then spoke Of
a suggestion recently made to him to turn
the river bank between Wood street and the
Point into bathing beach. Chief Brown
was rather taken with the idea, although the
actual work of making the change will nee
essarily come under the supervision of
Chief Bigelow, of the Department of Public
Works.
In discussing the subject Chief Brown
said: There is no doubt that we do not
realize the natural advantages we possess.
The Monongahela wharf has nice slope,
but before it would make good beach the
cobble stones would have to be removed
and replaced by sand or grass. There are
many obstacles in the way of making such
a radical improvement, but it may be possi-
BILE to overcome tnem. The great difficulty,
in my mind, will be to create waves, for
they are necessary adjuncts to beach 1t
would be an easy matter to simulate tides.
That could be done by raising and lowering
the wickets at Davis island dam at stated
intervals"
ESSENTIALS TO BEACH.
"There are some other things that are
continued the chief. "At a place of this
kind people look for either beer gardens or
camp meetings. 1t might be possible to get
the iormer, but 1 hardly think the location
would suit the latter. However, matter
of this kind needs some time for considera-
ton, and it is not likely that We shall see
the plans perfected before next summer.
Yes. it would make the river front look
picturesque to have the wharf covered with
handsome youths and maidens dressed In
becaming bathing costumes.
"PIttsburg has large field yet for ina
proyement Where will you find more
picturesque hills than Mount Oliver, Mount
Washington and Duquesne Heights. Gin
cinnati boasts of its Walnut Hills, where so
many of its society people reside.
Yet the Southside bluffs are far
more picturesque, and the scene from
Grandview avenue is not to be surpassed
by any similar view in the world. 1t would
be grand and well-paying investment to
terrace these hillsides and build handsome
residences up there. 1t is beautiful place
to live, and would add materially to the ap-
pearance of the city. We have views right
in this city which surpass those that artists
travel to Europe to see and copy upon their
canvases.
''The beach project is great one" con-
cluded the Chief, land should like very
much to see it carried into effect"