Central Park’s Romantic Bridge Has an Iron Heart (1862)
Central Park’s Romantic Bridge Has an Iron Heart (1862)
Bow Bridge’s low curve was made from cast iron. Completed in 1862, it carries walkers across Central Park’s Lake.
The story behind the scene
Calvert Vaux and Jacob Wrey Mould designed the bridge. Its name refers to its curve, which resembles the bow used by an archer.
The crossing links the Ramble with paths towards Bethesda Terrace. It is part of the park’s planned system of routes around and over the water.
Its decorative railings and position above the Lake have made it a popular place for photographs. It continues to function as a footbridge as well as a place to stop.
What you’re seeing
People cross the bridge beside its decorative railings in Marjory Collins’s 1942 photograph. The modern view returns to the walkway, with autumn foliage around the same iron structure.
Why this photo matters
The crossing has kept its practical use. People in both photographs are walking through a park whose apparently natural scenery includes carefully designed bridges and paths.
Historical photograph: Marjory Collins, 1942, Library of Congress, 2017836256. Modern photograph: Origins Publishing archive.
Sources: Central Park Conservancy; Metropolitan Museum of Art