Story
Crossing the Harlem River in the 19th Century
First navigated by the Lenape, and then owned by the Dutch, the "Harlaem" River has long been a waterway important to the history of New York. This story highlights some of the structures built over the Harlem to connect Manhattan to the broader world.
High Bridge
High Bridge is New York City's oldest surviving bridge. Opened in 1842, the High Bridge was designed by John Bloomfield Jervis.
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High Bridge
Jervis designed High Bridge as an aqueduct to carry freshwater from the Croton Pipes into New York City, providing the city with reliable drinking water.
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High Bridge
It remained a scenic river crossing after its obsolescence. In 1927, plans to demolish the bridge were met with outrage. A compromise was reached in which five of its mason arches were replaced with a steel span to allow larger ships to use the river. Though the bridge was closed for decades due to disrepair, it has now been reopened to foot traffic.
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Washington Bridge
The Washington Bridge was built with developers in mind. As pre-consolidation Manhattan grew, it became clearer that the Bronx might be an attractive place for people live and commute into Manhattan.
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Washington Bridge
Opened in 1889, the Washington Bridge—which was first named the Harlem Bridge and later, the Manhattan Bridge—set a new record for bridge-building speed. It was completed in under two years and connected the Bronx with Manhattan.
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Washington Bridge
The Washington Bridge served an important role in the development of the Bronx. It was capable of supporting light rail and eventually, automobile transit, when it initially was a part U.S. Route 1.
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University Heights Bridge
The University Heights Bridge was initially constructed further up the Harlem as the Harlem Ship Canal Bridge. Later, it was replaced with a bridge that could accommodate the 7th Avenue/Broadway subway line. The original was floated down the river to its University Heights location, where it opened in 1908.
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Macombs Dam Bridge
The Macombs Dam Bridge is the third oldest bridge in New York City, with construction beginning in 1890 and ending in 1895. The third bridge to serve this crossing, its name stems from the dam and bridge crossing that first opened in 1814. Though this bridge and an 1861 predecessor were officially called the Central Bridge, the name never stuck and it was officially named Macombs Dam Bridge in 1902.
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Macombs Dam Bridge
A swing bridge, Macombs Dam Bridge can pivot to allow two open lanes of shipping. It still carries both vehicular and foot traffic!
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