Tag Archives: Four Mile Run

Hazelwood: History

I recently saw August Wilson’s Gem of the Ocean (which deserves a post of its own!) The work is set in the Hill District 1907, and one of the characters, Selig, mentions setting off to Scotch Bottom. Where exactly is Scotch Bottom?

This is actually part of Hazelwood, and according to this look at history of Scotch Bottom,

“Immigrants from Scotland were the first settlers in this Indian territory, and the area from Four Mile Run to the Six Mile Ferry (four and six miles respectively from The Point) was called Scotch Bottom.”

Hazelwood itself actually derives its name from the hazelnut trees which once covered its site along the Monongahela River. Check out the rest of the history of this neighborhood here!

Big Jim’s in the Run

This morning, Natalia called Lindsay for a brunch date.

Natalia, dealing with a pathetic addiction to bubble tea, suggested Lulu’s or the Rose Tea Cafe.

“But I choke on those damn things!” Lindsay replied. “How about … Big Jim’s in the Run?”

Okay … so screw the bubble tea! Not quite Greenfield, not quite Hazelwood, the Run is a neighborhood unto itself. To the unanointed, you’ve probably driven past the Four Mile Run neighborhood many times driving on the Junction Hollow Bridge on 376 East:

big jim's

Make the sharp turn on Saline Street from the Greenfield Ave. Second Ave & Hazelwood Ave. intersections. That red building – it looks like Big Jim’s, located at 201 Saline St.

We arrived at 11:45am. “Um … I kind of want a beer right now,” Lindsay said. I liked that idea, so we promptly ordered a Yeungling and Rolling Rock and REALLY BIG YUMMY veggie and chargrilled chicken sandwiches. Rumour is that the fish sandwich and italian sausage are excellent as well.

We love BIG JIM’S because it’s pretty much embodies all that we love about the ‘burgh. Amazing food, low price, good service, interesting characters and surprising location. A stroll around the block run reveals a playground, headquarters of a local labor union, a beautiful old church and a patchwork of houses and apartments. There’s another bar – Chaser’s in the Run. We have plans to go back.

insidejims

Call Big Jim at (412) 421-0532. Hours are Mon-Thu 11am-11pm; Fri-Sat 11am-12am; Sun 10am-11pm.