The area between California Avenue and the Ohio River is an industrial site and the home of the Woods Run Penitentiary, now known as State Correctional Institution – Pittsburgh.

[4] The Atlas stated that "Marshall-Shadeland was named for Archibald M. Marshall, Irish grocer, dry goods merchant, landscaper of West Park and a partner in the Marshall-Kennedy Milling Company.

Across the Ohio River to the west, Marshall-Shadeland runs adjacent with Stowe Township, McKees Rocks, and the Pittsburgh neighborhood of Esplen.

Marshall-Shadeland is within the city of Pittsburgh, and is served by the Port Authority of Allegheny County, with a number of bus routes through the neighborhood.

In Marshall-Shadeland, the Steps of Pittsburgh quickly connect pedestrians to public transportation and provide an easy way to travel through this hilly, populated area.