[foreverfree]

This thread makes me wish I had grown up in or around the 'Burgh instead on the Philadelphia end of PA. And not just because my '70s adolescence was populated with Pirate playoff appearances and Steeler Super Bowls.

Instead I was forced to wait until 1980 for the Phillies world title and the Eagles' SB journey.:-)

I somehow imagine McKeesport to be the Steel City equivalent of Chester, PA, my actual birthplace and my home until age 7. Chester is downriver from Philly. Ford vehicles and ships were built in Chester at one time. Chester still has a bit of industry but also many, many vacant lots, particularly south of the Amtrak line (I lived in what was then one of the better parts of Chester, north of I-95). At the risk of offending McKeesporters, I envision your town as similar to Chester, run down, hoping to achieve better days ahead. Am I correct? Apologies in advance.

foreverfree

[Vinnie]

At the risk of offending McKeesporters, I envision your town as similar to Chester, run down, hoping to achieve better days ahead. Am I correct? Apologies in advance.

I was there last Mon. and Tues. My wife grew up there. It is pretty dead compared to the 'old days'.
The Catholic school she attended just closed for lack of children.
It's sad.