New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-02-12
BE NEEDED SOON

The poet and the historian have each done
his share toward making the rivers Of the coun-
try famous and there are few places where the
songs Of the Hudson. the Mohawk, the Ken
lucky the SuWapee and the Wabash. and the
Nngles rhym and poems to hun dreds Of other
waterways have not been hea'd. But the poet
and the song writer have ignored the little Har-
lem and although this IN Of the East RIVER
which separates Manhattan Island from the
mainland extends in part through picturesque
and beautiful country. the Harlem Is always
looked upon from the practical standpoint IL
runs from Spuyten Duyyil Creek, near Kings
bridge, TO the East River at Hell Gate, and is
navigable for about half It's length by YES
sells Of less than ten feet draught
The boy who was asked at school to tell wha'
practical use the Harlem River was to the peo-
pie OF New York. and said: IT'S for boa'races
and to build Bird yes over" would find the latter
part OF his answer verified If he could see the
great structures which now span the little river.
The growth OF the city toward the north, the
gradual developm ut OF the mar ufacturing dis
trct and the residence part beyond the northern
boundary Of the island made these bridges
necessity many years ago and small wooden
structures were put UP over which me traric
bridges when new and more elaborate highways
had to be erected Many OF these have been
completed. and others are in course NJ erection.
hut when all the contemplated bridges have
Been completed there will ne none too many.
and II il believed that further means will have
TO Be supplied .or connecting the Borough Of
Manhattan with the territory beyond the Har
lem.
ne fret Of
Kings Bridge at Spuyten Duyvil Creek at the
north end OF the island The dire ct road to "the
country" In those days up Broadway to
the Boomingdale Road ard by Kings Bridge to
the Albany Road. This bridge has been repaired,
improved rebuilt and changed many times. but
II Is still a wooden bridge. short distance
from It is mother small wooden bridge which Is
equally Old an1 is known as Farmers Bridge.
The next bridge I'm point OF age the old
Macomb's Dam bridge. which was built the
cite OF an old dam The dam was tuil in the
early days OF the city, and the water was used
as power FOR the old MacOmb mill. which stood
on the Manhattan side. When the mill was
abandoned the dam cut and the water al
lowed TO flow in. The parts OF the dam which
remained were utilized as abuiments for a
bridge which soon became popular highway.
For years this bridge was used by the driving
community, and the popular drive was up Sew
enth-ave. across Macombs Dam bridge 10
Jerome ave. The old bridge replaced about
thirty years ago by IRON dra wbridge and the
present beautiful structure opened TO the
public in MAY. 1898 The approach to this
bridge. he viaduct on the wost side OF the Har-
LEM is built on ground which in the days OF the
old dam was swamp and brush.
The bridge is 81 feet above high water and
III feet long and the draw Is 400 feet long
The viaduct built under the direction
Of the Department VI Public Works and
the Department ~ Parks had charge Of
the erection Of me bridge An old print
OF that part Of the city shows a tavern where
the Manhattan end of the bridge now stands
"Therc." said an OLD resident. the men who
owned and drove fast horses used to stop on
their way 20 and from jerome Park and swap
stories. Matches we're made there aud meetings
were arranged and for years there was prob
Ably no place In the country where could
meet more gentlemen drivers than there"
The first bridge over the Harlem AT Third
ave Take be plaGa Vt thu WOODEN atructurN