Brooklyn Bridge construction records
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Abstract
This collection consists of notes, letters, engineering computations, reports, specifications, inventories, and technical newspaper clippings, dated 1873 to 1879, all relating to the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge. Also included are notes to Washington Roebling, as well as some items in his hand.
Historical Note
The Brooklyn Bridge is a steel suspension bridge that spans the East River connecting the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn in New York City. Completed in 1883, the bridge was called both the East River Bridge and the New York and Brooklyn Bridge until 1915 when the name was officially changed to the Brooklyn Bridge. The bridge was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964 and was further designated a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 1972. The original designer of the bridge was John Augustus Roebling (1806-1869), a German engineer who immigrated to the United States in 1831. Roebling invented the wire cable which he would eventually incorporate into the design of the Brooklyn Bridge. Roebling's son, Washington Augustus Roebling (1837-1926), also an engineer, took over as chief engineer of construction following the sudden death of his father in 1869. In 1872, Washington Roebling fell ill with decompression sickness, acquired during the construction of the bridge, and never fully recovered. His wife, Emily Warren Roebling (1843-1903), was instrumental in seeing through the construction and completion of the bridge.
Sources:
- Fletcher, Ellen. "John Augustus Roebling." In The Encyclopedia of New York City, edited by Kenneth T. Jackson, 1017. New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press; New York: New-York Historical Society, 1995.
- Fletcher, Ellen. "Washington Augustus Roebling." In The Encyclopedia of New York City, edited by Kenneth T. Jackson, 1017. New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press; New York: New-York Historical Society, 1995.
Scope and Contents
This collection consists of notes, letters, engineering computations, reports, specifications, inventories, and technical newspaper clippings, dated 1873 to 1879, all relating to the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge. Also included are notes to Washington Roebling, as well as some items in his hand.
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Conditions Governing Access
Open to users without restriction.
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, date (if known); Brooklyn Bridge construction records, 1977.259, Box and Folder number; Brooklyn Historical Society.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of John Dunn, 1966.
Other Finding Aids
An earlier version of this finding aid, containing a complete container list, is available in paper form at the Brooklyn Historical Society. Please consult library staff for more information.
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Processing Information
Minimally processed to the collection level.
