They’re like sisters: the oldest, the Brooklyn Bridge, gets all the accolades. The Williamsburg Bridge came next; at the time it opened in 1903, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world.
This steel span has lots of charms, but it was destined to be in the Brooklyn Bridge’s shadow.
Youngest sister the Manhattan Bridge opened in 1909. It once had an approach modeled after a bridge in Paris and the colonnades on the Manhattan side modeled after St. Peter’s in Rome. These days, this workhorse bridge doesn’t get the love its sisters are used to.
Tags: Brooklyn bridge, Lower Manhattan East River images, Manhattan Bridge, New York bridge postcards, Three Bridges East River, vintage postcards NYC, Williamsburgh Bridge
Ephemeral New York 
September 19, 2016 at 6:44 am |
When I was 17 I moved to Manhattan to work as a nanny. I lived on East 67th street between 1st and York. I loved it and I loved walking to the Brooklyn bridge at sunset. I’d walk onto the bridge and look at the city. It was amazing. Unfortunately, I don’t know the other two bridges. The picture you posted was absolutely lovely. Thanks for the post.
September 20, 2016 at 9:18 pm |
That was a long walk to the Brooklyn Bridge!
September 19, 2016 at 12:05 pm |
I’ve read that the Williamsburg Bridge was considered so uninspired that New Yorkers called for the Manhattan Bridge to be beautiful and worthier of the city.
September 20, 2016 at 9:57 pm |
Since I was in high school, I have almost always ridden a bike or walked to any place I needed to go. For me the walk wasn’t long. I also often rode my bike to battery park just to ride the ferry back and forth. I also did my shopping via bike. Even now at 61, I ride my bike almost every morning.