The High Bridge
Sunday was definitely a day to spend outside, so Jim and I planned to go to the High Bridge in northern Manhattan. The High Bridge is the oldest bridge in the city, and originally opened in 1848 as an aqueduct. It was closed for more than 40 years before it reopened as a pedestrian bridge in June of 2015.
I wouldn't really describe the High Bridge as a destination, but if you're history or bridge nerds like Jim and me, then it's definitely worth a visit. It's a pretty short span over the Harlem River, and there's not much to do on either side of the bridge, however High Bridge park on the Manhattan side is a beautiful walk. Even if this winter was pretty mild, it was just nice to be outside and feel genuinely warm for the first time in a while.
The original part of the bridge is a series of stone arches, the Harlem River span of which was replaced in 1928 with a steel arch to allow for the passage of large ships. It really does look like two halves of completely different bridges were just pasted together—even the brick of the walkway changes from one half to the other.
The High Bridge water tower lords over the High Bridge, next to a public pool in the spot that once held the city's reservoir. One of the High Bridge's architects was James Renwick, Jr., who also designed St. Patrick's Cathedral, the Roosevelt Island Lighthouse and the Smallpox Hospital (now my favorite ruin), and you can definitely see the similarities, especially with the lighthouse.
The bridge completionist in me is grateful to have added another bridge to my "walked" list, the history buff in me loves anything that can claim an "-est" distinction and the old lady in me is just grateful when anything old survives in this "replace all history with a luxury condo" city.