High Bridge construction photographs
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Abstract
The 48 black and white photographs in this collection document the work on New York City's High Bridge in 1928 that replaced the five stone arches spanning the Harlem River with one steel arch.
Biographical / Historical
The High Bridge, originally called the Aqueduct Bridge, first opened in 1848 as part of the Croton Aqueduct that brought drinking water from the Croton River in Westchester to New York City. It included sixteen stone arches, including five over the Harlem River, and connected the Bronx and Manhattan. A pedestrian walkway was added in 1864. In 1928, the five arches spanning the Harlem River were removed and replaced by one steel arch so larger boats could navigate the river. These photographs, collected by a man who worked on the steel arch, document this 1928 construction project.
Scope and Contents
The photographs were collected by the donor Erica Guries's great grandfather, who worked on the High Bridge in 1928 when the stone arches were replaced by a steel arch. Images in the collection include distance shots of the High Bridge under construction, including some taken from High Bridge Tower; group shots of construction workers standing on and near the High Bridge; men at work on the High Bridge; and views of the Harlem River. One photograph has "Joe McCain" written on the verso. Most of the photographs (46) measure 5.75"x3.5", while one photograph measures 2.75"x4.5" and one measures 6"x4.25" and is affixed to a larger board.
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Access Restrictions
Materials in this collection may be stored offsite. For more information on making arrangements to consult them, please visit www.nyhistory.org/library/visit.
Use Restrictions
Application to use images from this collection for publication should be made in writing to: Department of Rights and Reproductions, The New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024-5194, rightsandrepro@nyhistory.org.
Preferred Citation
The collection should be cited as: High Bridge construction photographs, PR 467, Department of Prints, Photographs, and Architectural Collections, New-York Historical Society.
Location of Materials
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Carman A. Thrapp Guries, 2023.
About this Guide
Processing Information
Photographs were transferred to archival sleeves and arranged by orientation (vertical or horizontal)