Happy 130th to the Brooklyn Bridge!
When it opened on May 24, 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge was the longest suspension bridge in the world. Designed and built by German-born John A. Roebling and his son, Washington A. Roebling, the bridge connected New York and Brooklyn. The remarkable design used Roebling’s patented system of steel wire cable construction. Its graceful limestone and granite towers, pictured here, took 5 years to build.
- Photograph of the Brooklyn Bridge Across the East River, 04/1974. From the EPA’s DOCUMERICA Series
- Plan of One Tower for the East River Bridge, 1867
- Pedestrians on the upper deck promenade of Brooklyn Bridge, New York City, ca. 1910
November is Historic Bridge Awareness Month
Pedestrians on the upper deck promenade of Brooklyn Bridge, New York City, ca. 1910
The Brooklyn Bridge is a perennial hit — but what’s your favorite bridge?
Plan of One Tower for the East River Bridge, 1867
When it opened on May 24, 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge was the longest suspension bridge in the world. Designed and built by German-born John A. Roebling and his son, Washington A. Roebling, the bridge connected New York and Brooklyn. The remarkable design used Roebling’s patented system of steel wire cable construction. Its graceful limestone and granite towers, pictured here, took 5 years to build.
We Asked, You Answered!
Here are some of your favorite bridges that can be found in the holdings of the National Archives.
November is Historic Bridge Awareness Month
Photograph of the Brooklyn Bridge Across the East River, 04/1974.
Series: DOCUMERICA: The Environmental Protection Agency’s Program to Photographically Document Subjects of Environmental Concern
Do you have a photo of a historic bridge you’d like to share, or one you like from our holdings? What’s your favorite bridge?
Happy Birthday, Brooklyn Bridge! On May 24, 1883 it opened as the longest suspension bridge in the world.
German-born John A. Roebling and his son, Washington A. Roebling, designed and built the famous Brooklyn Bridge connecting the cities of New York and Brooklyn.
