Pittsburgh’s rightfully earned its title as the City of Bridges. After all, it is home to a stunning 446 bridges, inching out even Venice as the city with the most bridges in the world. Today, let’s take a look at some rare photos of the Smithfield Street Bridge – from its earliest days to plans and construction that followed several years after it was first constructed.

1. Originally built in 1818, the Smithfield Street Bridge (then the Monongahela Bridge) is believed to have been the first bridge to cross the river in Pittsburgh. However, the original wooden bridge was destroyed in 1845 during the Great Fire of Pittsburgh.
Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
2. But, Pittsburgh rebuilt the bridge, and the new structure became known as the Smithfield Street Bridge, connecting downtown Pittsburgh to the South Side. In the photo below, the Smithfield Street Bridge is seen circa the late 1800s.
Wikipedia/Public Domain
3. Horses draw carriages of Pittsburghers across the Smithfield Street Bridge in 1894.
Wikipedia/Public Domain
4. The drawing below, created by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, depicts the suggested additions and repairs for the Smithfield Street Bridge. The drawing is dated 1889.
Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain

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5. Here’s a snapshot of the Smithfield Street Bridge in 1900.
Wikipedia Public Domain
6. By 1909 the Smithfield Street Bridge was in need of some renovations, particularly widening of the lanes. The photo below shows the plans for the widening of the Smithfield Street Bridge, circa 1909.
Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
7. In 1911, construction on the widening of the lanes began for the second time.
Wikipedia/Public Domain
8. The Smithfield Street Bridge goes under more construction in 1933.
Wikipedia/Public Domain

Which of these photos of the Smithfield Street Bridge is your favorite? And, if you like getting rare glimpses into the past, click here to view 13 vintage photos of Pittsburgh during the early 1900s.

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