BRIDGES AND
TUNNELS OF
ALLEGHENY
COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA
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View east on Ohio River Blvd near Lowries Run, Emsworth
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More detail photos
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ADDITIONAL INFO:
A 1928 Allegheny County bond issue included funding for Ohio River Blvd, Saw Mill Run Blvd, Allegheny River Blvd and Mosside Blvd. The first three of these received pairs of directional pylons at each end of their route.
The massive pylons are constructed of cut stone and feature bas-reliefs carved panels created by sculptor Frank Vittor. Vittor is also noted for stonecarvings on several other public works projects, including the Westinghouse Bridge pylons.
The carved panels marking the county's three urban boulevards were designed to commemorate early local history. Marilyn Evert lists the subjects as follows: "the first coal being mined in Mount Washington in about 1750; the first Ohio River steamboat, the New Orleans, built in Pittsburgh in 1810; the Allegheny Portage Railroad which first provided canal and rail transportation to the east in 1834; the first sawmill in Allegheny County, built on Saw Mill Run in 1776; the Reverend John McMillan, founder of the first school in 1780; Capt. Celeron de Blainville burying lead plates along the Allegheny River in 1749, claiming the lands for Louis XV of France; Col. Daniel Brodhead and his expedition against the Seneca Indians in 1779; pioneers moving westward after Anthony Wayne's victories in 1795; Anthony Wayne camped with his men at Legionville during the winter of 1792-1793; George Washington negotiating with Indians at Logstown Council, 1753, to extend colonization territory; Col. Henry Bouquet fighting the Indians at Bushy Run in 1763; and the farmer who settled the frontier."
Of the twelve pylons, only two pair remain as of 2005: Allegheny River Blvd in Verona and Ohio River Blvd in Emsworth. The pair on Allegheny River Blvd near Washington Blvd is gone. The pair on Ohio River Blvd at California Av was removed when the Beaver Avenue Expressway project was grafted to the older boulevard. (1970-73)
On Saw Mill Run Blvd, one at Warrington Blvd was destroyed by a runaway vehicle in 1979 -- part of the broken relief panel was rescued by the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation; its mate was apparently still standing as late as 1983, but removed for street widening. The other pair on Saw Mill Run were presumably taken down when the Banksville Circle was removed during construction of the Parkway West.
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Ohio River Blvd at Emsworth, outbound from Pittsburgh (from Beaver):
"The first Ohio River steamboat, New Orleans, was built at Pittsburgh in 1810-11, and sailed down the river on its maiden trip, October 20, 1811"
Ohio River Blvd at Emsworth, inbound toward Pittsburgh:
"The Allegheny Portage Railroad . . . first gave canal and rail transportation from Pittsburgh to the East, March 24, 1834"
Carved stone panel facing traffic:
ALLEGHENY COUNTY
OHIO RIVER BOULEVARD
CONSTRUCTED 1930
COMMISSIONERS
JOS. G. ARMSTRONG, CHAIRMAN
E. V. BABCOCK CHAS. C. McGOVERN
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
DIRECTOR NORMAN F. BROWN CHIEF ENGINEER E. L. SCHIMDT
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FIELD CHECKED:
14-Aug-2004
INFO SOURCES:
field check; Evert, "Discovering Pittsburgh's Sculpture"
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Introduction --
Nearby Structures
Last modified on
17-Jan-2005
copyright 1997-2005 Bruce S. Cridlebaugh
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