Opened in 1848 as part of the 41-mile Old Croton Aqueduct, High Bridge was deemed an engineering marvel, enabling the delivery of clean water to the city of New York, catalyzing its development and expansion.
Use of the structure to deliver water to Manhattan ceased on December 15, 1949 and was closed to pedestrians in the 1960s. Now a National Historic Landmark, High Bridge is the oldest bridge in New York City and a pedestrian bridge that connects the neighborhoods of Washington Heights in Manhattan and Highbridge in the Bronx.
The Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct are celebrating the 175th Anniversary of the High Bridge on Tuesday, June 6th. A Bronx contingent and a Manhattan contingent will proceed from their respective ends of the bridge to meet in the middle for a ceremonial celebration the bridge’s birthday.
Following the ceremony, the Urban Park Rangers will be giving tours of the historic Water Tower, NYC DEP will be giving tours of the Manhattan Gatehouse, Morris-Jumel Mansion, Bronx Children’s Museum, Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct and other institutions and community organizations will be offering activities as well.
This program will begin at 10 am. For more information, click here.
Illustration: Water Tower, High Bridge courtesy Appletons Journal, 1872.
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