It’s been 138 years since the Brooklyn Bridge opened to the public on May 24, 1883, after 14 years of construction. While it provided a necessary link between Manhattan and Brooklyn it also quickly became a symbol of the borough. It’s still a must-see for tourists, a heavily used pedestrian pathway and, of course, one of the most photographed icons of the borough.

For an illustrated history of the bridge, go to https://www.brownstoner.com/history/brooklyn-bridge-history-anniversary-birthday-1883-138-years-old-icon/