The High Bridge and the Park

High Bridge, New York c. 1880
Tinted Stereoview by the New York Stereoscopic Co.

Welcome to The High Bridge -- Its Past, Present & Future website.  This site connects all interested parties on exciting developments associated with The High Bridge, Highbridge Park, and the immediately surrounding area.

We are in the process of sprucing up our site and making it more presentable.  As most of you already know, the High Bridge was reopened on June 9, 2015 after about 45 years of having been closed and years of planning and reconstruction.  The adjacent Highbridge Park is also undergoing extensive refurbishment as part of the NYCPlan 2030, and the immediate neighborhood near the Park, particularly along Amsterdam and Edgecombe avenues is starting to experience a renaissance with building renovations and new commercial ventures.
With this in mind, we are now shifting gears away from the reconstruction of The High Bridge to the other improvements that will be forthcoming.  We also recognize that there will be more visitors to the bridge, the Highbridge Park, and the surrounding areas, so we will be providing more information for those who do not have familiarity with the area and its attractions. 

At present the public funding for the improvements and redevelopment effort for the Bridge and the Park have exceeded $130 Million. On Jan. 11, 2013 Mayor Michael Bloomberg broke ground on the construction phase of the plan for the redevelopment of the High Bridge and the cost of reopening the bridge has been publicized at $61.8 Million. Just in 2016, $30 Million of additional funds have been allocated to Highbridge Park by Mayor De Blasio as part of the Anchor Park initiative.

On June 9, 2015, the official reopening ceremony of the High Bridge occurred. (Please see the specific posts for this event).  On July 25, 2015 the High Bridge Festival celebrating the reopening of the High Bridge occurred.

There are many other activities progressing simultaneously with the redevelopment of the High Bridge. This web site focuses on the developments in and immediately adjacent to The High Bridge and Highbridge Park.  Please make sure to scroll down to see previous posts on new and exciting developments.

It is our belief that with this site we can foster an appreciation of the past, an understanding of the present and a catalyst for the development of the future needs of this immediate area.

Hopefully, we will find common ground to dramatically improve the buildings, the retail establishments and the quality of life in such a way as to compliment the redevelopment effort associated with the High Bridge and High Bridge Park and make this area a destination for more of the millions of residents of New York City and some of the more than tens of millions of visitors who come to New York City each year.

Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, Sept 6, 1879

Please contact us and let us know if you have any interests in participating as a contributor, volunteer, or merely to coordinate with your community organization, or even if you are just an interested neighborhood resident. If you want to contribute to the site with any comments please feel free to do so.

Organizationally, we have been adding information to each page as it is appropriate.  You should return to pages on a regular and frequent basis to catch up on latest developments on each topic.  We have also provided for reader feedback at the bottom of each topic.

There are almost 200 posts with information and pictures on all sorts of topics. Information about the history of the High Bridge and the building of the aqueduct, articles about what is going on right now, and articles about the future changes that we all hope will come to the High Bridge, the park, and the surrounding neighborhoods. Please click on the Area of Interest on the right and a whole host of topics will present themselves. Or, you may scroll through the archive of articles on the right to find and article of interest to you. Or, you may also search by keyword in the box provided at the right above the archive listings. Or, you may just scroll down and look at the articles in chronological order going backward in time.

 If you are experiencing any difficulty using our site please let us know.

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last modified 7/28/2015

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ON 174th Street

ON 174th STREET (The World of Willie Mittleman) presents the hilarious and always heart-warming experiences of an American family in the years of the Great Depression. Contrary to popular belief, everyone did not fall apart during the catastrophic 1930s. Life went on. Most families clung together and, in their love and closeness, met each day's challenges with imagination, humor and guts. Up in the Bronx, in New York City, little Willie and the Mittleman clan possessed these traits in abundance. Yes, they struggled and worried: How could they keep food on the table, and a roof over their heads? Where should they look for work when, for them and 22,000,000 other Americans, there was no work to be found? Uncertainty filled every day and night. Nevertheless, they found reasons to laugh, and they tried to enjoy every moment of life. They joked, they celebrated, they sang, they danced... and they survived! ON 174th STREET (The World of Willie Mittleman) is a slice of Americana that will have you laughing all the way and admiring the amazing strength of the American spirit.

AUDUBON TERRACE

If you happen to be visiting the High Bridge Aqueduct, you may also consider some of the other notable historic landmarks in the area.  One of those landmarks, the Audubon Terrace, is located on Broadway on the northwestern corner with 155th St.  This is only a short walk from the southern part of the Highbridge Park. Before you go, though, we would strongly recommend that you read up on this delightful venue.

In a recent article in Harlem World Magazine on 1/24/2022 entitled, "The Legendary Audubon Terrace A Cultural Arts Complex Uptown In Washington Heights, 1904" 

Bridges

 

I just came across a book entitled Bridges - A History of the World's Most Famous and Important Spans, by Judith Dupre, with an introductory interview with Frank O. Gehry.  It was published by Black Dog & Levanthal Publishers, NY, 1997, 128 pages. And, while the High Bridge is not mentioned in this book, I found it fascinating in its description of the different types of bridges, including many pictures of them.  However, many of the other bridges of New York City and its environs are included in the book.  The format of the book is particularly well suited for the topic.  The book measures 18 1/4" by 7 7/8" with some photos spanning across two pages (i.e., 36 1/2" wide), making for very dramatic views.  For the the bridge lovers out there, this is a must see.

Another High Bridge Has Been Located

Over a decade ago, on January 15, 2013, to be more precise, we noted on this blog an entry on other bridges with the same name as our High Bridge here in New York.  We have now located yet another bridge with the namesake of our beloved New York High Bridge, but this one is located in Spokane, Washington.  Just like our High Bridge here in New York, the Spokane High Bridge is located at High Bridge Park.  If you are interested in learning more about this bridge and its namesake park, you can find more information here.

A New Stereoview of the High Bridge

Thisissss

An Homage to the High Bridge at 175 years by Duane Bailey-Castro for Untapped New York

If you press the start button for the above Vimeo video you will see Duane Baily-Castro's short time lapse celebration video to the 175th Anniversary of the Aqueduct High Bridge here in New York City which will be going on this month. This video is part of a very good article in Untapped New York: HOW TO CELEBRATE THE 175TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HIGH BRIDGE, NYC’S OLDEST SPAN. Just click on the link here and you will find it.

HAPPY 175 !!!!!

The number 175 seems to be a very important number up in Washington Heights this week.

First of all, today is the celebration of the 175th anniversary of the High Bridge.  It was on July 4, 1848, that the opening of the High Bridge was celebrated. That was a very different time and the High Bridge looked very different at that time.  

There was no steel span over the Harlem River as you see the bridge today. Rather, it was the stone arches that continued across the river. It wasn't until the 1920s that a number of the stone arches were removed in order to allow for improved navigation on the Harlem River for maritime traffic.

Also, there were only two tubes for water to cross the river on the bridge.  The third tube which sits on top of and between the first two tubes wasn't added until the 1860s.  It was at that time that the stone walls on the edge of the bridge were incorporated into the bed to carry the new water line.  Upon completion of the third line, the brick herringbone pattern on the deck and the railings were installed.

In addition to the High Bridge celebration this week, we are also honored to host the Tony Awards at the Palace Theater at the corner of Broadway and 175th Street on Sunday, June 11.  There is excitement in the air.  Workers are sprucing up Broadway in the area and there are hopes that this will lead to a revival of the area as a destination for both New Yorkers and the millions of visitors that come to New York each year.

We, of course, are hoping that the visitors will stroll along Broadway and down 175th Street to Highbridge Park and continue their stroll across the Highbridge and take in the magnificent views.

"The High Bridge" Lithograph by D. Buchner & Co.

 

Recently discovered Trading Card issued by D. Buchner & Co. as part of the promotion of its chewing tobacco products, from series N287, entitled New York City Scenes, dated ca. 1888. Produced by Gust Lithography & Engraving Co., New York lithographers, on card stock.  Size 4" x 2 1/2" 

The Highbridge Silver Mining Company

 I ran across this Silver Mining Company Certificate recently.   It bears no relationship, I think, to the Highbridge, which is the subject of interest of this blog.  However, I did find some curious points that I have yet to explain.

First, the Highbridge Silver Mining Company of Nevada was organized in the State of New York in1868. Curiously, both the President and the Secretary of the Company were also located in New York State.  Of further interest is the fact that the Highbridge Mine was located near Manhattan, Nevada, which is located in Nye County.

The mine was only active for a short period of time and is not currently producing any output.

Was this connection of the Mine to the Highbridge in Manhattan, NY coincidental, or, was it motivated by the owners residing in New York?

I think we will be waiting a long time to find the answer to this question.