Bow Bridge - Central Park

Bow Bridge - Central Park, April 7, 2010
Keith Nelson, Rob Hickman

Bow Bridge was one of the seven original cast iron bridges built in Central Park during the years 1859-1875. Two of the originals were destroyed when Robert Moses became Parks Commissioner: Spur Rock Arch and Outset Arch, which took Center Drive over the bridle path, fell victim to auto traffic priorities (which, as we know, always takes priority in NYC). Bow Bridge, having fallen into disrepair, was renovated in 1974 and again in 1998. You can't see them, but cannonballs are set in the base of the north end of the bridge to allow expansion during temperature changes. The railing features Gothic cinquefoils and interlaced spiral designs. Large vases originally decorated the balustrades.

Location: spans the Lake northeast of Bethesda Terrace. Built: 1859 -1862 by Vaux and Mould, with ironwork by Janes, Kirtland & Co. (which also did the ironwork for Washington's Capitol Building). Made of cast iron.