Illustrations of the Croton Aqueduct by F. B. Tower, published in 1843

 

Title Page of the book

Below is an illustration from 1843 of the proposed High Bridge Aqueduct over the Harlem River that would not be completed until 1848.

The World’s Most Extreme Bridges

 

I found this YouTube video on bridges that I thought you might enjoy.  

The World's Most Extreme Bridges. I hope you enjoy watching it.

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. See my post on The Bridges of Manhattan. 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.