The historic Duquesne Incline recently celebrated its 130th birthday.

In May, the Duquesne Incline celebrated 130 years of operation in Pittsburgh. Designed and built by Samuel Diescher, the country's foremost builders of inclines, the Duquesne Incline officially opened for business back on May 20, 1877 and served as one of four original inclines used to transport passengers and freight to the residential area along “Coal Hill,” which today is known as “Mt. Washington.”

Built at a cost of $147,000, the historic incline was operated by The Duquesne Inclined Plane Company from 1877-1962. Financial problems almost caused the incline to close in 1963.

However, a group of Duquesne Heights residents, known as the non-profit Society for the Preservation of the Duquesne Heights Incline, formed a committee and raised enough money to take over its operation. The group continues to operate it even though it is now owned by Port Authority of Allegheny County.

The Incline was recently ranked by USA Weekend Magazine as the “second most beautiful view in America,” as it overlooks scenic Downtown Pittsburgh. It has become a major tourist attraction for visitors and continues to be the best way for thousands of Pittsburghers living on Mt. Washington to commute to work and to shopping in Station Square.

Pittsburgh’s Duquesne and Monogahela Inclines are two of three inclined planes still operating in Pennsylvania. The third, is the Johnstown Inclined Plane which operates in Johnstown, PA.

The Duquesne Incline also celebrated another momentous occasion in recent months when it had its 20 millionth rider on December 18, 2006.