PHL PHOTOS - THEN

Originally, PHL was a small body of water that formed where the Panther Hollow and Phipps Runs joined before running into Junction Hollow (Four Mile) Run and from there draining into the Monongahela River. It was a popular spot for outings, possibly part of the post-Civil War Linden Grove picnic area, and a major attraction even before Schenley Park existed.The images below show it in its natural state prior to the 1909 build-out.

Lake area picnic grounds in 1894. (from Western PA Exposition Society Program)

The lake in 1903. (from JC Bragdon's "Views of Pittsburg")

Boundary Street view of PHL's outlet to Junction Hollow Run in 1907.  (Post Card from Annie's Attic)

In 1909, Public Works Director Edward Bigelow developed Panther Hollow, building a trail system and a new Schenley Lake. He enlarged PHL, added a boathouse, and the lake became a destination point for young and old alike.

The work gang first built trails. (photo from Pittsburgh City Photographers Collection via Historic Pittsburgh)

They relocated the stream beds. (Pittsburgh City Photographers Collection via Historic Pittsburgh)

The lake reconstruction in 1909. (picture from Pennsylvania Department collection, Carnegie Library via Pghbridges)

The finished product. (photograph from the Pennsylvania Department collection of Carnegie Library)

While the lake drew fishermen, skaters, boaters, picnickers and the outdoorsy by the score during the day, it had a special midnight magic to it... (post card from Nan via PA Roots)

This is a somber shot of the boathouse in autumn 1929. (from the Pgh. Sun-Telegraph, scanned by Norman Meinart)

After three decades, Panther Hollow got a major facelift when the WPA gang went to work in the valley, building the Lake Trail, steps, bridges and spiffing up the lake and boathouse under the direction of City Public Works Director Ralph Griswald.

The WPA left its mark all over Panther Hollow... (image from Dr. Boli of the Father Pitt blog.)

...but particularly on the Lake Trail and its many stone bridges, said to be quarried from Panther Hollow (picture from Pghbridges.)

The next renovation came in 1958-59 when Mayor Davey Lawrence cleaned out the lake, fixed up the boathouse and squeezed a concrete girdle around our old girl.

The lake gets a makeover compliments of the City. (photo from the Joe Natoli collection via the Parks Conservancy)

PHL in the winter of 1969. (photo from the Pittsburgh City Photographer's Collection via Historic Pittsburgh)

PHL in 1978, a year before the boathouse was razed.  (photo by Ivan Safyan Abrams from Flickr)

This takes us to the eighties; up-to-date images of the current PHL are on the next tab, PHL PHOTOS - NOW.