In 1848, the Aqueduct Bridge, as it was officially called, opened across the Harlem River. It was an immediate success, and became a popular curiosity and attraction. People could walk across the top and see spectacular views of New York and surrounding areas.
A rendering of a high bridge as it would look when completed. The Croton Water Commission debated whether it would be better to build a high bridge or a low bridge (at half the cost of the former). Eventually the State Legislature mandated that the Commission choose between a tunnel or a high bridge, and the high bridge won out.
From Illustrations of the Croton Aqueduct by F.B. Tower, 1843.
An inverted siphon system was used before the High Bridge was finished. Constructed just to the north, the pipes allowed water to flow into Manhattan. Water could be expelled at the low point via a jet, which is seen here. Atop the bluff on the upper left is the Morris-Jumel Mansion.
From Illustrations of the Croton Aqueduct by F.B. Tower, 1843.
High Bridge at Harlem, seen from Westchester (later annexed as part of the Bronx). It took nine years to complete the bridge, which opened in 1848.
From D.T. Valentine’s Manual of the Corporation of the City of New York, 1848.
High Bridge seen from the Harlem River, 1850. The walkway atop it is 1,450 feet long.
From D.T. Valentine’s Manual of the Corporation of the City of New York, 1850.
A sketch of the idyllic High Bridge, which was noted as being “near Harlem.” In 1851, Harlem still retained much of the characteristics of an independent village, and was not officially annexed by the city until 1873.
The accompanying description reads: “This magnificent bridge of stone forms a part of the immense work erected to bring the water of the Croton River to the City of New York. The length of the aqueduct, from Croton River to the City Hall, is forty-four and a quarter miles, and cost the enormous sum of $13,000,000. It is one of the most stupendous efforts of modern times, and one which has proved as successful as it was grand in conception.
The bridge itself was erected at a cost of $1,000,000. Its height is one hundred and fourteen feet from high water mark, and its length is one thousand four hundred and fifty feet. It rests upon arches supported by fourteen piers of heavy masonry; eight of them 80 feet span, and six 50 feet. The romantic scenery in the vicinity, in addition to the beauty and magnificence of the structure, make the High Bridge a most attractive place of resort in summer.
There is a hotel upon each of the high banks of the river near, for the accommodation of visitors. The easiest mode of access from the city is to go in the Harlem cars, from the City Hall (which make eleven trips a day) to Harlem, where stages are in waiting to carry passengers to the High Bridge. A visit to the upper and lower reservoirs, and to the High Bridge, are usually in the programme whenever the civic authorities of New York have some “distinguished stranger” to welcome. They are all well worthy of attention.”
From Gleason’s Pictorial Drawing Room Companion, August 30, 1851, Vol 1, No 9
Under the towering arches of the bridge in the 1850s.
From History of the City of New York by Mary Booth.
When it originally opened, the bridge contained two three-foot pipes that brought the Croton water across it. However, almost as soon as the bridge was opened it reached full capacity.
From D.T. Valentine’s Manual of the Corporation of the City of New York, 1862.
In 1861, construction began on a new 90-inch main installed between the two smaller pipes (you can see one of the smaller pipes on the right). A steam powered crane hoisted sections of the cast iron pipe up onto the bridge. It was on a wide platform set on rails so it could easily move across the span.
From D.T. Valentine’s Manual of the Corporation of the City of New York, 1862.
An overview of the construction of the new main from the Manhattan side. Across on the Westchester (Bronx) side are piers and a few attractions that could entice visitors to come up for the day.
From D.T. Valentine’s Manual of the Corporation of the City of New York, 1862.
A rendering of the High Bridge reservoir as it would look when completed. The design of the water tower was significantly altered.
From D.T. Valentine’s Manual of the Corporation of the City of New York, 1869.
A sketch of High Bridge sketch showing the new water tower and reservoir as planned.
The accompanying article notes that High Bridge “was begun in 1839 and completed in 1848 at a cost of $900,000, and is the grandest stone bridge on the continent. Its purpose is not that of a foot, roadway, or railway bridge, but it serves as an aqueduct to convey Croton water across [the] Harlem River. It is built of solid stone, and is 1450 feet long and 120 feet high from the level of the water, and contains 15 arches, under which can pass any boat that can navigate the river.
On the Westchester side, where the Croton enters, there is a stone-house built, in which there is a large wire-screen, through which the water passes, and on through 14 pipes, 8 of 80 feet and 6 of 60 feet span, over the bridge to the New York side, where it is again introduced into other pipes, and thence conveyed to the reservoir at 86th Street and 6th Avenue, covering 85 acres, and containing 150,000,000 gallons of water.
Of late years a number of improvements have been introduced at, though not a part of, the bridge. Among the most important is the erection of a larger reservoir, 420 feet square, and a tower, 184 1/2 feet above the level of the water in the reservoir, for supplying the high points in the upper part of the island. A fountain with a jet of four inches has been built in the centre of the reservoir, and will throw a stream 70 feet high. In order to fill this reservoir an engine room has been built at the southern end of the aqueduct. The amount expended in these improvements falls little short of $1,000,000.”
From Harper’s Weekly, November 9, 1867, Vol 11, No 567.
Folks boarding a steamer to get back to the city. These excursions were very popular, with boats depositing pleasure-seekers on the Westchester (Bronx) side, where they could climb up to walk across the bridge, picnic on the grass and watch the rowers and boaters on the river, or visit the hotels and restaurants that dotted the banks.
From Harper’s Weekly, June 24, 1880, Vol 24, No 1230
A sketch of High Bridge from below, showing activity along the Harlem River.
As the text of the guide recounts, “The visitor, as he strolls over the fine footpath on the bridge, has a noble prospect greeting his eyes, well repaying him for the trouble of his journey. There are several hotels and restaurants in the vicinity, and this locality has for a long while been a favorite one for Sunday and holiday excursions. On the left or island side of the river are a handsome high-service tower and engine-house, which play an important part in raising the distributing source to the proper level for service in supplying Croton water to the upper part of the city.
New York Illustrated, published by D. Appleton and Company, 1881.
The water tower and reservoir on the Manhattan side. Although often attributed to former chief engineer John B. Jervis, the water tower and reservoir were likely designed by chief engineer A.W. Craven and W.A. Dearborn.
From History of Westchester County, New York, including Morrisania, Kings Bridge, and West Farms by J. Thomas Scharf.