Brooklyn Heights' Prewar Promenade

This photo from the turn of the century shows a much different promenade in Brooklyn Heights. Until they were demolished in 1946 to make way for the expressway, this arched viaduct, greenhouse and buttressed wall were accessible by the stone stairways that led down from the mansions above to the ferry landing below. The grand double-brownstone at right was designed by Richard Upjohn and completed in 1857 for the merchants A. A. Low (as in Low Library at Columbia) and A. M. White. To the left (at center in the photo) is the Henry Pierrepont mansion.
Photo from Old Brooklyn In Early Photographs by William Lee Younger.

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The street in the foreground is Montague; that's why there's still a short piece of Montague on Furman.

www.forgotten-ny.com

Posted by: Kevin Walsh at February 21, 2007 10:04 AM

I understand the need for a certain level of development, especially with a burgeoning population in Brooklyn (more people with more money), but when you look at these photographs it's a good argument for preservation of architectural gems and even certain whole neighborhoods.

Posted by: Anonymous at February 21, 2007 11:40 AM

There was plenty of collateral damage done by the BQE. Brooklyn Heights managed a lot better than Red Hook.

Posted by: donatella at February 21, 2007 12:11 PM

and sunset park

Posted by: Anonymous at February 21, 2007 1:04 PM

At least now when the pigs destroy the gems we'll have color pictures.

Posted by: Anonymous at February 21, 2007 1:19 PM

And I beleive the Bridge over Montaque was called the Penny Bridge - now all that remains is a Candy Store on Clark St by that name.

Posted by: David at February 21, 2007 1:36 PM

Yes, that was the Penny Bridge, which was already over 100 years old at the time of this photo. Here's this spot in the 1850s:
http://www.whitmansbrooklyn.org/montague.html

Posted by: Rascal at February 21, 2007 1:51 PM

Yes, that was the Penny Bridge, which was already over 100 years old by the time of this photo. Here's this spot in the 1850s:

www.whitmansbrooklyn.org/montague.html

Posted by: Rascal at February 21, 2007 1:52 PM

What a fascinating photo. And that picture of the Penny Bridge -- how beautiful. To think there is a screaming highway there now. It's enough to make you cry.

Posted by: anonymous at February 21, 2007 6:18 PM

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February 21, 2007

Brooklyn Heights' Prewar Promenade

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