Junction Hollow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Junction Hollow |
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Junction Hollow viewed from the Schenley Bridge. From left to right, the Cathedral of Learning, Carnegie Institute, Bellefield Boiler Plant, the dual bell towers of St. Paul's Cathedral, Central Catholic High School, and Hamerschlag Hall can be seen.
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| Length | 2+1⁄2 miles (4.0 km) North-South |
| Depth | 150 feet (46 m) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Schenley Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Population centers | Panther Hollow |
| Traversed by | Pittsburgh Junction Railroad, Boundary Street |
| Rivers | Four Mile Run |
Junction Hollow is a beautiful, wooded valley located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It sits right next to Schenley Park and the campuses of Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh.
This valley is about 150 feet deep and stretches for about 2.5 miles from south to north. It starts where a stream called Four Mile Run used to flow into the Monongahela River. The valley then goes through the neighborhood of Four Mile Run and north into Oakland. It runs along Schenley Park, Carnegie Mellon, and the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, ending near Central Catholic High School.
People sometimes mix up Junction Hollow with Panther Hollow. Panther Hollow branches off from Junction Hollow near Panther Hollow Lake and goes northeast into Schenley Park.
Contents
History of Junction Hollow
Why is it called Junction Hollow?
Junction Hollow got its name from the Pittsburgh Junction Railroad. This railroad first built tracks here in the 1880s. The idea was to create a special train line through the valley. This line would go north through the Schenley Tunnel (which is under Neville Street). It would then lead to a train yard along the Allegheny River. This plan helped trains avoid getting stuck in traffic in downtown Pittsburgh.
What was the valley called before?
Before the railroad arrived, this area was known as the Four Mile Run Valley. It was named after the stream that flowed through it. The stream was called Four Mile Run because it was about four miles from The Point. Today, this stream flows underground in pipes to the river.
Big plans that didn't happen
In the 1950s and 1960s, city planners had a grand idea. They wanted to fill the hollow with a large research complex. This complex would connect the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University all the way to the river. However, this big plan was never built.
Junction Hollow Trail
Since the 1990s, a walking and biking path called the Eliza Furnace Trail extends into the hollow. In this part of the valley, it is known as the Junction Hollow Trail. It's a great place for people to enjoy nature.
