The dramatic photo above, “The Rapids, Below the Suspension Bridge” was taken around 1870 by Charles Bierstadt. His eye was on the Niagara River and the gorge, but that’s a nice view of Roebling’s bridge.
Below, another etching by Joseph Pennell, this one from 1915 and titled “Up to the Woolworth.” We’re looking south, but it’s not clear what the street running up the center is. It either comes to an end or bends well north of Woolworth…this could be Greene Street above Canal, or Pennell could be inventing streetscapes again. In any case, I like the fact that the second most prominent structure, after Woolworth, is a water tank.
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