If you’ve driven through Pittsburgh and spotted a lone chair—often an old wooden kitchen chair or folding chair—sitting curbside, sometimes with a small sign or even decorated, you’ve encountered a beloved Pittsburgh tradition: the “Honking Chair.”
It’s not trash. It’s not a mistake. It’s a symbol of community, remembrance, and local pride.
The Origin: Honoring the Everyday Hero
The practice began informally in working-class neighborhoods like Beltzhoover, Hazelwood, and the South Side, where residents would place a chair on their sidewalk or lawn to honor someone who had passed away—often a neighbor, friend, or family member.
The chair represents a place for the departed to “sit” while watching over their old neighborhood.
It’s a quiet, personal memorial that says: “You’re still part of this block.”
Over time, the tradition evolved—and took on a new layer of meaning.In many cases, these chairs are placed near street corners or intersections with a small sign that reads:
“Honk for [Name]”
(e.g., “Honk for Grandma,” “Honk for Mike,” “Honk for Our Troops”)
When drivers pass by, they honk their horn as a gesture of respect, solidarity, or celebration of life.
It’s especially common after a sudden death, during holidays, or to honor veterans.
Some chairs stay for weeks or months; others become semi-permanent fixtures.
Why a Chair?
In Pittsburgh’s close-knit neighborhoods, the kitchen chair symbolizes home, conversation, and gathering.
Leaving a chair out is like saying: “Pull up a seat—you’re still welcome here.”
It’s humble, accessible, and deeply human—no fancy headstone needed.