Manchester Bridge Artifacts by Charles Keck

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Pittsburgh has, and has had, some wonderful bridges. Every time we bike across the 16th St Bridge I can't help admire the artwork high above. New bridges just don't get the funding for such fabulous, decorative additions. Back in 1917 they did, and the old Manchester bridge had some wonderful adornments on either end. When the bridge was demolished in 1970 the bronze sculptures were saved. They spent some time on the North Side and then disappeared from public view for many years, but in 2016 this end of the old bridge was placed back out in the public eye.

The images of 18th century guide Christopher Gist, Seneca leader Guyasuta, and the city of Pittsburgh's coat of arms have been installed near the spot where they originally were. Across the street from this installation you can see the old support pier from the Manchester Bridge - now integrated into A Tribute to Children (AKA the Mr Rogers sculpture).

Point of View by James A. West

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Two leaders of this land – in different times and different ways, are depicted here. These were two men who had a great impact over events in our region. Guyasuta, a Seneca leader, and George Washington.

At one point in time, Guyasuta acted as a guide for George Washington. Later on he fought opposite Washington during the French and Indian war and again during the Revolutionary War.

The sculpture captures a time when the two met in October of 1770. It sits on Mt Washington, overlooking the strategic land at the confluence of the rivers that they each had interests in. Apparently there is no record of exactly what transpired in the meeting, but at the time, Washington had come to survey the area for tracts of land he was given for his service in the French and Indian War. Unfortunately, this action was in conflict with the Royal Proclamation of 1763, which restricted settlement west of the Eastern Continental Divide.