High Bridge Water Tower
Exterior
Took a tour inside the water tower at High Bridge, in upper Manhattan. High Bridge is significant because it is the oldest bridge in New York City, and was built to carry water to the city via the Croton Aqueduct in 1848. Twenty years later, the tower was built to improve water pressure in the neighborhood—the advent of flush toilets put a new demand on water pressure. It was decommissioned in 1949.
A photo of the water tower from the middle of the High Bridge I took in 2019.
Interior
I couldn’t decide which photo I liked more, so I included my two favs from inside the tower. Pardon my indecisiveness.
Inside the High Bridge water tower, part of the first modern water system in New York City, dating from 1865.
Inside the High Bridge water tower, part of the first modern water system in New York City, dating from 1865.
Views
The view from the narrow windows at the top offers a unique perspective on the Washington Heights neighborhood. You really can see the entire neighborhood from up here.
The George Washington Bridge towers over Washington Heights.
View from the water tower at High Bridge.