The Brooklyn Bridge

The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the oldest and most famous bridges in the United States. It crosses the East River and connects the New York City boroughs of Brooklyn and Manhattan. When it opened in 1883, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world. People were amazed that such a big bridge could be built.

Building the Bridge

An engineer named John Roebling designed the Brooklyn Bridge. Sadly, he died from an injury before construction started. His son, Washington Roebling, took over the project. Workers dug deep into the riverbed to build the bridge's foundations. The bridge took 14 years to build and used over 14,000 miles of wire for its cables.

A Bridge for Everyone

The Brooklyn Bridge was one of the first bridges to have a walkway for pedestrians. About 4,000 people walked across it on opening day. Today, thousands of people walk or bike across the bridge every day. The views of the New York City skyline and the Statue of Liberty from the bridge are stunning.

Fun Facts

• On opening day in 1883, a circus showman walked 21 elephants across the bridge to prove it was safe.
• The Brooklyn Bridge's two stone towers are 276 feet tall, about as high as a 27-story building.
• Workers who dug the underwater foundations sometimes got sick from a mystery illness called 'the bends.'

Did You Know?

Emily Warren Roebling helped oversee construction of the Brooklyn Bridge after her husband became too sick to visit the site. She was one of the first women to play a major role in a big engineering project.