Panther Hollow Bridge



The Panther Hollow Bridge is an American steel, three-hinged, deck arch bridge that carries Panther Hollow Road over Panther Hollow in Schenley Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Notable features
This bridge, which is located in the city's Oakland district, has a main span of 360 ft, total length 620 ft, and arches 120 ft above the hollow. It was built between 1895 and 1896, roughly contemporaneously with the nearby Schenley Bridge. Panther Hollow Bridge may be easily distinguished by its monumental bronze sculptures by Giuseppe Moretti of four panthers, crouching as sentinels, on each bridge corner. The bridge also lacks the chain link type of fencing that is installed on the Schenley Bridge.

Panther Hollow Lake, a recreation spot, lies just west of the bridge.

History
The Panther Hollow Bridge was one of the many Schenley Park improvements completed during the tenure of Pittsburgh director of public works Edward Manning Bigelow. Construction began in August 1895 and the bridge was opened to vehicular traffic in November 1896.

The four bronze panthers were added in 1897. They were sculpted by Giuseppe Moretti and cast by the Gorham Manufacturing Company in Providence, Rhode Island. Only two of the panthers were dedicated on the Fourth of July in 1897, as the other two were not delivered in time for the ceremony.