Nestled between two Interstate freeways just south of the city, Carnegie is defined more by the creek that runs through it than anything else. Twice within 100 years, this borough of 8,000 has fought back floodwaters that have spilled over the banks of the Chartiers Creek and consumed the downtown. But even nature can’t keep this town down.

Carnegie is in the midst of major renewal as it works to rebuild the damage that Hurricane Ivan wreaked in 2004. Despite the loss of some longstanding businesses, the borough is coming back in a big way, and many believe the recent flood will prove its last, thanks to the work of the Army Corp. of Engineers. Carnegie’s lovely tree-lined East Main Street is reemerging in all its glory, one specialty shop and café at a time. At the same time, one of the region’s most treasured and historic gems, the Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall, is moving forward on what may prove to be one of the region’s most awesome undertakings, the $8.6 M restoration of this acoustically exquisite performing and education space.

From its beautiful Ukranian and Russian Orthodox churches to its gregarious main street, Carnegie is a town with a lot going for it. Where else can a father take his son for a cut to an honest to goodness barber shop? Or where some of the region’s best jazz musicians can pull up on a Wednesday night and play to a captive audience? Where a shop that advertises “where vinyl isn’t final” sells thousands of 45 rpm records and you can find ‘50s diner furniture? Galleries, antique shops and unpretentious, excellent food, and that’s the beginning. Truth is, if you didn’t already know all this was there, you might never know. Carnegie is one of Pittsburgh’s best-kept secrets, so shhhh!