GAPSTOW BRIDGE

New York, NY

This beautiful bridge at 59th street in Central Park offers a spectacular view of New York’s skyline. Initially built in 1874 as a delicate wood and cast iron structure, it did not weather the elements. The stone replacement there today was constructed in 1896, as designed by Howard & Caudwell. With leaves and foliage in summer and snow in winter, the Gapstow Bridge is a moment of tranquil beauty year around. The stone span curves gracefully over the narrow neck of the Pond facing south. The bridge is built of unfinished Manhattan schist. It spans 44 feet of water at its base with a 12-foot high arch, and it has imposing 76-foot long sidewalls extending the full length of the bridge. It offers amazing views of the city, with the Plaza Hotel (see page 27) and other towers rising behind the backdrop of trees reflected, amidst the ducks in the Pond. Central Park designer Frederick Olmsted (also designer of Piedmont Park in Atlanta) anticipated then that Manhattan buildings would one day rise around the empty lots by the park, but he could never have envisioned the heights of today’s buildings.

In New York for a weekend visit, my wife and I escaped to the park for an afternoon of sun and relaxation. Always prepared for a sketch, when I saw Gapstow Bridge and a nearby bench, I knew it had to be drawn. Interestingly, back at the office the following week, I noticed a co-worker had a similar sketch of Gapstow pinned to her wall.