Old Allegheny County Jail

Architect: Henry Hobson Richardson
Style: Richardsonian Romanesque
City: Pittsburgh, PA
Collection: richardson's legacy

The Old Allegheny County Jail, designed by H. H. Richardson and built by the Norcross Brothers between 1884 and 1886 -- the year of Richardson's death -- is linked to the adjoining Allegheny County Courthouse by a covered bridge over Ross Street known as the 'Bridge of Sighs,' after its resemblance to the Venetian original. The complex is considered among the finest examples of the Romanesque Revival style for which Richardson was known. The jail closed when a new facility opened in 1995, and the historic building now serves the county's court functions.

the building

Bridge of Sighs. An enclosed bridge crosses Ross Street to connect the jail and courthouse, nicknamed the 'Bridge of Sighs' for its resemblance to the covered bridge of the same name in Venice, Italy.

Famous inmates. In 1892 anarchist Alexander Berkman was jailed here awaiting trial for the attempted murder of industrialist Henry Clay Frick, and in 1902 condemned brothers Jack and Ed Biddle escaped from the jail with help from the warden's wife.

the style

The jail was built in the Romanesque Revival style, one of the finest examples of the idiom for which its architect, H. H. Richardson, was best known.

the architect

Henry Hobson Richardson designed the jail as part of a complex with the adjoining Allegheny County Courthouse. Construction ran from 1884 to 1886, the year of his death, with the courthouse completed in 1888 under his successor firm, Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge, and further additions made 1903-1905 by Frederick J. Osterling.

significance

The jail is designated a Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation Historic Landmark; the old jail building now serves as an annex housing court functions for Allegheny County.

more by Henry Hobson Richardson

Allegheny County Courthouse Pittsburgh · 1888
Emmanuel Episcopal Church Pittsburgh
Albany City Hall Albany · 1883
Crowninshield House Boston
Dr. Henry Jacob Bigelow House Boston · 1887
H. H. Richardson Complex Buffalo · 1870
Hayden Building Boston · 1875
Howard Library New Orleans · 1889

nearby

Allegheny County Courthouse 160 ft · Richardsonian Romanesque · 1888
Pittsburgh City-County Building 400 ft · Neoclassical · 1917
BNY Mellon Center 480 ft · modern · 1984
Frick Building 0.1 mi · 1902
Grant Building 0.1 mi · Art Deco · 1929
Union Trust Building 0.1 mi · Renaissance Revival · 1916

All 71 buildings in Pittsburgh