Brooklyn Bridge Facts
Brooklyn Bridge Facts
|
| Interesting Brooklyn Bridge Facts: |
|---|
| The Brooklyn Bridge was built to provide a safe passage for those living in Brooklyn who needed to travel to Manhattan to work. |
| The Brooklyn Bridge had other nicknames including the Great East River Bridge and the Great East River Suspension Bridge. |
| The construction of the Brooklyn Bridge began in 1869, after being designed by John Augustus Roebling. During surveying for the Brooklyn Bridge he sustained an injury that resulted in tetanus and his untimely death. |
| John Augustus Roebling put his son Washington in charge of the Brooklyn Bridge project before he died. |
| Washington was also injured on the job site and had to supervise the work from his apartment view. His wife Emily became the go-between from Washington and the construction crew. This took 11 years. |
| Emily Roebling was the first woman field engineer and became an expert during its construction. She was also the first person to cross it. A rooster tied her for this honor. |
| The Brooklyn Bridge officially opened for use on May 24th, 1883 and was attended by the President of the United States at the time Chester A. Arthur and several thousand people, as well as ships in the East River. |
| On opening day 1800 vehicles crossed the Brooklyn Bridge, along with more than 150,000 people. At the time vehicles consisted of horse-drawn carriages, bicycles, and streetcars. |
| Only six days after its opening a rumor spread that the bridge was about to collapse. In the panic 12 people were crushed to death. |
| At least 30 people died during the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge. |
| It cost approximately $15 million to build the Brooklyn Bridge. Adjusted for today's money that would equal roughly $381 million. |
| Some people have performed stunts from the Brooklyn Bridge. In 1886 Steve Brodie jumped from the bridge and survived, making him into a famous actor at the time. Robert E. Odlum was the first to jump from the bridge but he did not survive. He was a swimming teacher. |
| Other engineers who worked on the Brooklyn Bridge include Charles C. Martin, Francis Collingwood, Samuel R. Probasco, Wilhelm Hildenbrand, William H. Paine, and George W. McNulty. |
| The highest paid workers on the Brooklyn Bridge made between $3.50 and $4 a day. These included masons, stonecutters, and blacksmiths. Other workers made $1.75. |
| A memorial plaque exists on the Brooklyn Bridge to honor John Roebling, Washington Roebling, and Emily Roebling, for their work in the Brooklyn Bridge's design and construction. |
|
Related Links: Facts US Geography Facts Animals Facts Industrial Revolution Timeline Arthur Miller Facts |