brooklyn bridge

Today in History

@celticeagle (189833)

Boise, Idaho

May 24, 2016 11:53pm CST

The Brooklyn Bridge opened to traffic on May,24,1883. It linked Brooklyn to Manhattan. It is a mix between a cable-stayed and a suspension type of bridge. The bridge is more than a mile long and is made of limestone, cement and granite. The main span is 1,595.5 feet long and the two towers rise 276.5 feet above the water. They were the tallest structures in the area at that time. The work project took 14 years to complete and twenty seven workers were killed during its erection. Tolls were charges from the time it was finished until 1911. It cost 1 penny for a pedestrian to cross the bridge, five cents for a horse and rider and 10 cents for a horse drawn wagon to pass. There was a charge of five cents for cows and two cents for sheep and hogs. The three bridges which cross the East River levy no toll fees today.

11 people like this

9 responses

@AbbyGreenhill (45490)

• United States

25 May 16

I've been over that bridge and the others several times in my life - since I lived just 30 miles from NY.

1 person likes this

@celticeagle (189833)

• Boise, Idaho

25 May 16

Never have and probably never will. I did pass the mile long one in Louisiana I think it was. It made a turn about half way across.

@celticeagle (189833)

• Boise, Idaho

25 May 16

@AbbyGreenhill ...Probably. I just remember I got a little nervous cause it was so long and I have issues with water.

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@AbbyGreenhill (45490)

• United States

25 May 16

@celticeagle You mean the one over Lake Pontchartrain? Been on that one too. My father's family is from LA.

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@Tampa_girl7 (54715)

• United States

26 May 16

Really cool information.

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@celticeagle (189833)

• Boise, Idaho

26 May 16

I thought it was interesting and wanted to share it.

Arthur Chappell

@arthurchappell (44941)

• Preston, England

25 May 16

it is a very impressive feat of engineering

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@celticeagle (189833)

• Boise, Idaho

25 May 16

That it is.

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@marlina (154103)

• Canada

25 May 16

I didn't realize that the Brooklyn Bridge was that old.

1 person likes this

@celticeagle (189833)

• Boise, Idaho

25 May 16

I didn't either until I read about it.

1 person likes this

@LadyDuck (502484)

• Italy

25 May 16

I have been several times on the bridge, when we visited New York. I feel very uncomfortable crossing long bridges.

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@celticeagle (189833)

• Boise, Idaho

25 May 16

So do I!

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Valerie J. Routhieaux

@just4him (323168)

• Green Bay, Wisconsin

25 May 16

That's fascinating! Wonderful little history lesson. Thank you.

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@celticeagle (189833)

• Boise, Idaho

25 May 16

Glad you enjoyed it.

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@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

25 May 16

That must have generated a decent revenue back in those days, although the bridge would be far less busy than today.

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@celticeagle (189833)

• Boise, Idaho

25 May 16

Yes, it sure would have.

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@gudheart (12659)

•

25 May 16

That is good that there are no longer fees. I am surprised though, as usually they charge for everything!

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@celticeagle (189833)

• Boise, Idaho

25 May 16

Yes. Me too. NYC is expensive.

@Jessicalynnt (50523)

• Centralia, Missouri

25 May 16

wild to think of charges in pennies

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@celticeagle (189833)

• Boise, Idaho

25 May 16

They are thinking of doing away with it.

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